Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises, through its partnership with Monte Carlo’s Societe des Bains de Mer, has lined up renowned spa chef Jacky Oberti to host a wellness culinary program aboard Silver Whisper’s July 5, Athens-to-Venice cruise.
Chef Oberti presides over the kitchens of L’Hirondelle, the gourmet restaurant at Les Thermes Marins, the celebrated spa and fitness center that serves the well-heeled guests of both the Hotel Hermitage and the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. At L’Hirondelle, Oberti, a trained nutritionist and native of southern France, uses only the freshest local ingredients to serve up a healthy, low-calorie cuisine with a delicious Mediterranean flair.
“We’re delighted to be able to welcome Chef Oberti aboard Silver Whisper,” said Salah Chetbi, Silversea’s director of food and beverage operations. “This will be a wonderful opportunity for our guests to enjoy his inspired spa menu selections and also learn how they, too, can prepare healthy meals at home without sacrificing taste.”
Frederic Darnet, director of Les Thermes Marins, commented, “It’s a pleasure to team up with Silversea to create this type of unique enrichment program. We’re very excited to introduce Chef Oberti to Silversea’s guests, giving them a chance to discover and sample some of the light and flavorful menu options that complement the wellness program at Les Thermes Marins.”
Oberti will present his unique gastronomic style and cooking methods in the ship’s demonstration culinary theater. Custom-designed by Viking Range Corporation, the theater is equipped with state-of-the-art induction stove, sophisticated convection-microwave oven and Viking professional-caliber cookware, cutlery and countertop appliances — plus a large rear projection screen so guests can easily view different cooking techniques and utensils.
A selection of Oberti’s signature dishes will be featured nightly in The Restaurant, the ship’s main dining venue, and he will also prepare a special “wellness” risotto to be served every evening in the specialty restaurant La Terrazza.
Another health-themed highlight of this voyage will be a water-tasting event that (like a wine tasting) will give guests a chance to sniff and sample some of the world’s finest still and sparkling waters. And the nightly turn-down service will be enhanced with a selection of wellness-themed amenities.
Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper, all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company’s itineraries encompass all seven continents.
In the U.S., Silversea has been voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler nine times and six times by the readers of Travel & Leisure. International awards include “World’s Leading Luxury Cruise Line” from World Travel Awards (2007); “Five Star Diamond Award” from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2007); “Number One” small-ship line in the Readers’ Choice” survey conducted by Britain’s Condé Nast Traveller magazine (2007); “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Spain’s Cruceros & Destinos magazine (2008); “Best Small Cruise Line” by Australia’s Luxury Travel Magazine (2007); and “Best Luxury Cruise Operator” according to Asia’s Travel Weekly (2007).
