P&O Cruises has introduced a new dining concept with the debut of its latest cruise ship Pacific Pearl – an exclusive Chef’s Table in the ship’s stunning Wine Room.

The Chef’s Table dinner will be offered up to three times on every Pacific Pearl cruise, with 14 passengers able to reserve a seat.

Set in the elegant, bottle-lined Wine Room within the ship’s chic Waterfront Restaurant, the Chef’s Table will feature a carefully designed seven-course degustation menu paired with Australian wines.

Sture Myrmell, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said the concept was designed to showcase the high quality of P&O Cruises’ food and wine and create a special experience for passengers.

Pacific Pearl’s Wine Room was created during the ship’s multi-million dollar refurbishment prior to joining P&O Cruises’ fleet in December.  Launched in Auckland, Pacific Pearl arrives in Sydney for her maiden season of cruising from Australia this Thursday (February 3).

“Pacific Pearl’s Wine Room is a stunning space that sits beautifully within the contemporary Waterfront Restaurant so it’s the ideal setting for the Chef’s Table,” Mr Myrmell said.

Both the food and wine offerings on P&O Cruises have been totally revamped over the past two years, with all ships now offering fresh, gourmet cuisine that reflects Australian tastes along with a wine list featuring only Australian and New Zealand labels.  Three of the cruise line’s fleet now also offer a ‘Salt Grill by Luke Mangan’ restaurant among their dining options.

“We are very proud of the quality and variety of cuisine on our ships, and felt the Chef’s Table would be another way to let passengers experience great food and wine during their holiday,” Mr Myrmell said.

Priced at $75 a head including wine, the three-hour Chef’s Table experience starts with pre dinner cocktails, canapés and an introduction by the ship’s Executive Chef. Diners will then enjoy a tour of ship’s main kitchen before enjoying their dinner, with the chef introducing and explaining all seven courses.

Mr Myrmell said the Chefs’ Table concept would be extended to Pacific Jewel, which also features a Wine Room, later this year.

Carrying 1800 passengers, the 63,500-tonne Pacific Pearl features a giant poolside entertainment screen, three restaurants, seven bars and lounges, Aqua HealthSpaFitness centre, two swimming pools, a swim-up-bar, multi-level show lounge, four kids centres, a casino and duty-free shopping boutiques.