P&O Chefs Table
The Chef Table is one of the highlights of our cruise, and we have experienced the Chefs Table on the Jewel, Dawn and Aria, having done the Chefs Table a number of times on each ship.
Each P&O Chef designs his or her own menu, which means if you go on different ships, the menu will be different. The Chefs Table pictured below is on the Pacific Aria which has a specifically designed room, which adds to the experience.
The cost of the Chefs table is a little under $100 per person, which at first glance sounds expensive when you can get an included meal in the restuarant, however this does include your drinks. When you consider that the experience includes a matched drink with each course (and there is seven courses plus pre-dinner drink of sparkly and horderves), we consider the cost as very reasonable.
You need to book the Chefs Table early in a cruise, not all cruises have a Chefs Table and there are minimum and maximum numbers. Once booked you will receive an invitation in you cabin a day or two before the event with instructions as to where to meet.
Whilst there is no dress code, everyone seems to dress up – men wearing long pants and button up shirt as a minimum, with on most Chefs Table at least one person will wear a dinner suit.
Part 1 – Pre dinner drink and horderves
It is customary to meet in one of the ships bars for a glass of Champaign and horderves
Some ships (not all) do a tour of the galley – for space reasons I have not included pictures (will do a galley post later), but this tour is during full operation and is worth doing. Following this you are taken you table and seat are pre-allocated.
The signed Menu – this is yours to keep.
The Main Meal
Pictured below is each of the courses (Keep in mind, each Chefs Table can be different):
Course 1 – Double Ways Duck
Course 2 – Traditional Lobster Bisque
Course 3 – Grilled Barramundi Fillet
One of our group was allergic to seafood, so they had a Chicken variation.
Course 4 – Beetroot Pineapple Sorbet
Course 5 – Wagyu Fillet Steak with red wine sauce
This meat is a marble score 6 (compared to the same piece in the Salt Grill which is marble score 3)
Course 6 – Selection of Australian Cheese
Course 7 – Variation of Mango
This concludes the Chefs Table – a meal that takes at least three hours.
Chocolate Plate
The next afternoon, you are served a small chocolate plate before dinner.
Is it worth going
Yes, we believe it is. In our opinion, the Chefs Table is better than the Salt Grill. Whilst it costs a little more, you are served much more food, and the food quality is higher. You are also given an explanation of each food and wine by the Chefs, how it is cooked and get to meet some great people on the way.
Please post your feedback below – has this been helpful ?
Lynda
CruiseReview.net.au