Oceania Cruises: Exclusive New Restaurant at Sea
La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France will debut aboard Oceania Sonata in 2027 — an intimate and highly exclusive restaurant paying tribute to the rich heritage of French gastronomy.
New details have already been revealed about La Table, the result of an outstanding culinary collaboration and a true expression of refined cuisine. It will be the first and only restaurant at sea to launch with the prestigious endorsement of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. This recognition is far more than symbolic; it represents a genuine certification of quality and authenticity, further elevating the standards of luxury dining aboard Oceania Cruises ships.
The Association des Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, which includes 115 members, is an internationally renowned institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage of French gastronomy. Its mission is to safeguard and advance the art of French cuisine while inspiring younger generations to learn and perfect this culinary tradition.
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Maitres des cuisiniers de France
Jean-Louis Dumonet, President of the USA and Canada delegation of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, emphasized that La Table represents the natural evolution of the rich culinary tradition associated with luxury ocean travel. Through their collaboration with Oceania Cruises, they have created an exceptional menu crafted with mastery and deep respect for French gastronomy.
Oceania Cruises is the only cruise line with two Maîtres Cuisiniers de France leading its culinary program: Executive Culinary Directors Chef Alexis Quaretti and Chef Eric Barale. They will oversee La Table, one of the most exclusive restaurants ever created at sea, featuring just 18 seats and accessible exclusively by reservation. The concept is designed to ensure highly personalized service and a fully immersive gastronomic experience, where every detail is executed with absolute precision. The rotating menu will showcase a variety of meticulously prepared dishes, created in close collaboration with a selection of guest Maîtres Cuisiniers de France from around the world. This approach guarantees guests an ever-evolving and dynamic dining experience that reinterprets French tradition through a contemporary lens.
Chef Eric Barale, left, and Chef Alexis Quaretti, right 2
Chef Eric Barale, left, and Chef Alexis Quaretti, right
Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises, highlighted how the company’s dedication to gastronomy is rooted in continuous refinement and respect for tradition — a philosophy shared with the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France. He added that this extraordinary collaboration, celebrated through the talents of Chefs Quaretti and Barale, will make La Table a true celebration of French culinary heritage, paired with Oceania Cruises’ unmistakable luxury.
Among the dishes to be served at La Table will be exquisite expressions of French culinary artistry, from delicate Granny Smith apple tartlets to Dover sole stuffed with escargots and served with Roscoff vegetables and white wine sauce. Exclusive creations will also include potato roulade with crab and Sturia Oscietra caviar. Every course will be carefully designed to highlight technique, aesthetics, and harmony of flavors, transforming each meal into a true sensory journey where presentation becomes an integral part of the experience.
According to Chef Quaretti, the restaurant reflects and enhances a commitment to technique, appreciation for flavor, and contemporary creativity. Set within the intimate elegance of this new venue aboard Oceania Sonata, La Table will offer guests a truly memorable culinary experience.
La Table par Maitres Cuisiniers de France
La Table par Maitres Cuisiniers de France, Oceania Sonata
The introduction of La Table reinforces Oceania Cruises’ founding philosophy: delivering the finest cuisine at sea. The restaurant will also host the acclaimed Dom Pérignon Experience, featuring a six-course tasting menu paired with three exceptional Champagne vintages. This exclusive offering will represent one of the highlights of the onboard gastronomic program, combining haute cuisine and prestigious labels in a carefully curated tasting journey designed to elevate every course through sophisticated pairings.
The new Sonata Class ships, scheduled for delivery in 2027, 2029, 2032, 2035, and 2037, will feature not only La Table and the new Nikkei Kitchen, but also ten world-class restaurants, including specialty venues such as the pan-Asian Red Ginger, the classic steakhouse Polo Grill, and Toscana, renowned for its authentic Italian cuisine.
With this new generation of ships, Oceania Cruises aims to further redefine dining at sea, offering a level of variety and quality increasingly comparable to the world’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants on land. For Oceania Cruises, culinary artistry lies at the heart of the travel experience, and its talented teams will continue refining and evolving the menus in pursuit of culinary excellence.
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