Category Archives: Cruise Ship Jobs

How Cruise Ship Chefs Can Use Meat Substitutes

Vegetarianism and veganism is a growing trend, with plant-based diets seeing an increase across the world. Food-related cruise ship jobs need to follow these trends to ensure they can cater to changing demands. The US and China are two of the biggest cruise economies in the world. According to the Food Revolution Network, the last three years have shown a 600 per cent increase in people identifying as vegan in the US, while the Chinese government has released dietary guidelines to encourage people to reduce meat consumption by 50 per cent. But this doesn’t mean they don’t want their favourite food. Cruise ship chefs can learn how to substitute meat with vegetarian or vegan options that keep the dish just as delicious.

MINCE
Minced beef is a staple in well-loved dishes such as lasagna, tacos, casseroles, meat pies, spaghetti bolognese and chili. For vegetarian and vegan diners, cruise ship chefs have a number of options.
Firm tofu is often pressed under a heavy weight to squeeze out water and then crumbled to form mince, which cooks much faster than ground beef. Textured soy protein, made from soy flour, has the texture and appearance of ground beef. It is quite flavourless so absorbs seasoning very well.
Lentils have also worked as minced meat, and while easily available are probably not the first choice for most chefs.

STEAK
Steaks are a big favourite around the world. Cruise ship chefs will know the regularity with which they are relished on board. To give vegetarians an option, look no further than the humble cauliflower. A thick slice of a whole cauliflower head can easily be stuck into the oven and roasted with oil and herbs, or sautéed in a pan with mushrooms in white wine sauce.
Seitan – which is basically wheat gluten that’s had all its starch removed – is an excellent substitute for steak and can be flavoured with any popular seasoning including barbeque sauce. The texture is fairly close to meat which makes it all the more desirable as a substitute.

PATTIES
Vegetable burgers don’t really sound that appetising, but when the substitutes offer the flavour and texture of meat, it’s hard to argue. One of these is tempeh, a traditional Indonesian product made of fermented soybeans, most often sold in a cake form. It can easily be seasoned and grilled to make delicious burger patties.
Other options for burgers are black beans which are typically used from a can. But they are also available dried, and then need to be steamed before being drained well, ground to a paste with other ingredients and flavourings and then pressed into a patty.

RIBS & HOT DOGS
Seitan is perfect for ribs since they offer that ‘meaty’ pull and can also be used as the filling in hot dogs, the casing of which is made of cellulose or other plant-based ingredients instead of the usual intestine.
One of the most popular companies selling meat-like vegetarian products is Quorn, which was first marketed back in 1985. It is now one of the largest companies selling meat-replacement food in the UK, including hot dogs.

SANDWICH FILLING
Sandwiches are one of the top quick-service meals ordered on board. Cruise ship chefs can offer delicious versions of favourites such as croque monsieur, reubens, po’boys and more with easy substitutes.
Shiitake mushrooms are a popular substitute for croque monsieurs, sautéed generously to develop that sweet-salty taste associated with the original ham. Jackfruit is an unlikely ingredient here, but quite useful. In such cases, it is used raw and has a flesh-like texture that is perfect in tacos and for a filling similar to pulled pork.
The flaky texture of tempeh is popular as a substitute for the seafood filling in po’boys as well as to make ‘crab’ cakes and ‘fish’ fillets.

HOT WINGS
Seitan is a great substitute for this incredibly well-loved snack, but the ubiquitous cauliflower is on the list as well. The stem of the florets even mimics the wing end, with a sticky hot sauce just the right accompaniment for its spicy and crispy coating.

Convenience ‌Food ‌On ‌Cruise ‌Ships

Cruise ship jobs take you far from the comforts you’re used to. With the demands of the job, it’s not uncommon that sometimes you find yourself either too tired or too lazy to make the breakfast, lunch or dinner schedule. At this time, convenience food is your saviour.

For health reasons, it is not recommended that one eats convenience food often. This is because they are usually high in salt or sugar content, preservatives, saturated fats and food additives. That said, they are the easiest snack or instant food available on the run.

Many cruise ships have restrictions on convenience foods available to passengers, possibly to encourage them to spend on eating food freshly prepared in the various restaurants on board. Some allow them to bring restricted pre-packaged items including a few packets of cookies and salty snacks such as beef jerky.

On the other hand, for people with cruise ship jobs, management tries to make life easier by offering items they enjoy. The crew general store on board will typically have a selected variety of crisps, instant noodles and quick ready-to-eat food.

Packaged cheese and processed meat is considered convenience food – it’s easy to pick up a wedge of La Vache Qui Rit and pop it into your mouth or spread it on a slice of bread on the go. Soft drinks and beverages such as Pepsi, Coca Cola and their associated brands are also usually available.

Passengers were earlier allowed to bring a certain amount of bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages on board, but some cruise lines such as Carnival now require these to be bought on board in cans. Any sodas or bottled water brought on board by passengers are confiscated and returned to guests at the end of the cruise.

Crisps from Lays, Pringles and Doritos nachos are very popular worldwide, and should be available to crew although there may not be the variety of flavours you expect. They may be priced slightly higher than usual so check with on-board regulations if you can bring a few packets back from shore visits.

Oreos are another popular convenience food, which is usually made available to crew at the general store. There may be instances of instant ramen, soups, and ready-mix pastas like macaroni and cheese, but you must remember that most cruise ships do not allow crew to take such consumables back to their rooms. They must be eaten in the mess or crew dining area where any crumbs and spillage can easily be cleaned and sanitised.

Other convenience food that is easily available is commercial chocolates such as Twix, Snickers, Kit Kat, Haribo gummies and the like. It might be wiser to opt for cereal bars and packaged mixed dry fruit as snacks when you’re hungry to keep your health in check.

Passengers can find easy substitutes for their favourite convenience food on board. Instead of Doritos, they can order a plate of cheesy nachos. Any Asian restaurant on board will be happy to make a customised bowl of ramen to replace their craving for instant noodles. Bakeries on board are filled with tantalising options including freshly made pretzels, chocolate chip biscuits, sandwich cookies and more that will satisfy a yearning for items like Oreos and Chips Ahoy.

As part of cruise ship jobs, you may be asked by passengers about the availability of convenience food. If the vessel you work on offers a limited range or none at all, point them in the direction of the nearest restaurant that makes worthy substitutes from fresh ingredients.

Cruise Culinary Trend For 2020

Food is a huge part of cruising. Cruise ship chefs jobs require them to not only be proficient with what they do, but also efficient and creative with available ingredients. But all of their success rides on the kind of food guests are expecting and are a current trend.

Sustainability
This is a huge buzz word in the culinary fraternity today, mainly because food waste and the supplements used to grow produce have come into question. Sustainable food is safe and healthy, and is mostly focused around local produce. In many cases, it also refers to ensuring fair trade prices for farmers, fishermen and livestock agriculturists, which can be an issue in developing countries.
Cruise ship chefs are looking at incorporating more wholesome, organic food into menus across eating establishments in the coming year. Cruise ships are also spending more time in ports, allowing them to go to the markets there and procure local ingredients.

Seacuterie
Leading lifestyle magazine Good Housekeeping recently suggested an interesting trend for 2020 that it calls seacuterie. It is a seafood take on the typical charcuterie board, where a variety of predominantly cured meats is served sometimes with accompaniments.
On a seacuterie board, one might find products such as octopus salami, shellfish sausages or swordfish ham, pickled shrimp, smoked salmon rillettes and more. A wide variety of seafood could be pickled, fermented, smoked and aged to curate interesting antipasti.

Upgraded bar snacks
Cruise ship bar patrons are no longer satisfied with a regular bowl of peanuts to munch on as they drink. To keep visits to onboard pubs interesting, cruise ship chefs must now whip up interesting snacks. The trend in 2020 could be gourmet gastropub fare in snackable quantities, with high-quality ingredients and dazzling presentation.
Guests could be chowing down on dishes such as fried pickles with interesting dips, marinated olives, baked buffalo wings with blue-cheese dressing, sliders with crispy fries or onion rings, fondue with bread sticks or pretzels, baby meat pies, yakitori and more.

Healthier children’s menus
Many cruises stick with regular favourites for children’s menus – pizzas, burgers, mac n cheese, hot dogs and sundaes. But with nutritional issues facing many families in the developed world, healthy food is an increasing demand.
Cruise ship chefs now will need to swap out ingredients from all-time favourites to make them healthier. We can expect whole grains such as quinoa and wholewheat bread instead of white bread, and oven-baked potatoes over deep-fried chips. Easy swaps also include Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, baked fish sticks with marinara instead of aioli, fruit salads and salsas, wholesome granola bars instead of chocolate, and sorbets or dairy-free ice creams.

More vegetables & non-alcoholic drinks
Perhaps it’s the rise of the fitness and health industry, or it’s the sustainable movement taking over. More people are leaning towards plant-based diets than ever before. Cruise ship chefs are now being challenged to cater to these requirements while keeping food interesting and delicious.
There’s also the rising trend of non-alcoholic or low-alcohol beverages that promise various health benefits. Cruise ship chefs and bartenders will have to look into drinks such as kombucha, water kefir, tepache, kvass and toddy.

Debunking Myths of Cruise Ship Chef Jobs

Life as a cruise ship chef is fairly different from one working in a land-based job. The work and living environment varies starkly and often potential recruits are subject to hearsay that can make them anxious about becoming cruise ship chefs. Here are a few myths of working on cruise ships:

You will have to prove yourself immediately
There’s nothing quite as jarring as having to perform to the best of your abilities on the first day of your first job. New cruise ship chefs don’t have to worry about this. Every company has a compulsory orientation and training programme to help you get acquainted with your work space, team mates and responsibilities. It is certainly a competitive world out there, but you will definitely get some breathing space before you are expected to perform.

Promotions are non-existent
Once more, this is based solely on the fact that there are many people vying for cruise ship chefs jobs. But you must also remember that the industry is expanding; it saw a six per cent increase in passengers from 2018 to 2019, and 18 new ships were ordered just from Cruise Lines International Association for the coming year, according to cruising.org.
This means that there will be improving employment prospects, and as with every industry, people with experience and good reputations are far more likely to be promoted both within the company and outside. Cruise ship chefs also stand to profit from promotions in land-based jobs when crossing over.

It’s a paid vacation
Many cruise companies, or even people currently with cruise ship chefs jobs, can paint an unrealistic picture of life at sea. It may seem like they are discovering a new exotic location every week, indulging in the best food, drink and activities, and generally having the time of their lives.
While cruise ship jobs are exciting, they are certainly not a walk in the park. The work days can be long and arduous, and there will be times you are required to be on ship even during your time off to adhere to rules on the minimum number of personnel on board. This is on a rota basis, so everyone gets a chance to relax. All in all, you will definitely enjoy time off in port while within the restrictions of your duties.

You will be home sick
Being far away from home for many months at a time can cause some people to be anxious, especially if it is their first time ever. You are probably imagining weeks upon weeks of no connection with home in a completely new environment.
While this may be partly true for a few rare individuals, cruise ship companies offer many ways to help ease any home sickness, if at all. Many Indians work on board cruise ships and you will find a range of food that reminds you of home. You will also find many employees speaking a language familiar to you. Major festivals such as Diwali and Holi are also celebrated with special food from the region, and parties specially for the crew.
Cruise ship companies also provide access to the internet so you can contact home and speak to your loved ones – it may be paid but the cost is often far less for crew than it is for guests.

Cruise Dishes For All Ages And Nationalities

Cruise ship chefs learn to make a huge variety of dishes, across cuisine styles. Trends come and go, and they must adapt to satisfy all tastes and preferences. There are some dishes that are loved by all, and versatile enough to satiate every age and nationality. Here are a few

Scrambled eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals. It’s the perfect food for anyone from the age of six months on, all the way to old age. No teeth are required when the consistency is perfect!
Cruise ship chefs can jazz up scrambled eggs using cheese, tomatoes and condiments. For an Indian version, chefs add masala, chillies, onion and coriander. They can be served alongside hash browns, sausages and other meats, fruit or even stir-fried vegetables for an extremely satisfying meal.

Mashed potato
Potatoes are quite a hardy vegetable, originating in South America and now available in innumerable varieties across the world. Many cultures have incorporated the humble potato into their own cuisines, but the perfect mash is rarely without takers.
The fluffiest versions typically include milk, butter, salt and pepper, and are sometimes whipped in a blender to achieve the right consistency. It is easily eaten by young and old alike, providing much-needed vitamins, potassium and fibre. It is usually served as a side-dish, but is easy on the stomach even for people with reduced immunity.

Soups
Soups can be hearty, refreshing and delicious. Cruise ship chefs know that many older guests enjoy a hot bowl of soup as the sun sets and that it’s one of the best ways for passengers – especially little children – to get their daily fix of vegetables.
Sometimes, after a few days of gorging on delicious food, guests need a break, and a light soup is the ideal answer. Every culture has a soup or at least some similar variant, and cruise ship chefs can whip something up comforting quite quickly. Favourite soups from around the world include clam chowder, French onion, clear vegetable, goulash, borscht, pumpkin, pho, noodle soup, miso, udon and egg drop.

Pasta
Not many say ‘no’ to a delicious bowl of pasta. It is easy to feed to children, hearty enough for grown people, and easy to digest for older folk. Cruise ship chefs can easily churn out a number of versions based on preferences, dietary requirements and available ingredients.
Pasta is high in carbs and low in cholesterol, and can be teamed up vegetables or meats to create interesting yet delicious dishes. It keeps well on board cruise ships and is sometimes made freshly in specialty restaurants. Cruise ship chefs on Majestic Princess reportedly cook around 200 kgs of pasta every day.

Ice cream, gelato and sorbets
Dessert is well-loved all around. While cakes, pastries, donuts and waffles do the rounds regularly, ice cream stands out as the perfect dessert for all ages and nationalities. Most cruise ships make ice cream, gelato and sorbets in-house, constantly churning throughout the voyage. Ice cream is one of the first sweets that can be eaten by little children and a favourite of older people. Newer flavours are now catering to tastes from across the globe, including masala chai, matcha, lemon, pistachio, popped corn and even candied bacon.

Get Cruise Jobs Without A Degree

Today, an increasing number of top-rated companies – including Google, Starbucks, Apple, Chipotle and Penguin – no longer believe that formal qualifications are a prerequisite to recruitments. Talent, integrity, hard work and passion for the job gain more merit than a traditional degree.
Short-term courses that supplement a basic education can offer the chance to entry-level cruise ship jobs that are a foot in the door to a successful cruise ship career. In all cases, you will need to learn about food safety on board a ship.

Snack attendant or buffet server
Crew in these roles tend to the serving dishes in the buffet and common dining areas to ensure they are always replenished. They are expected to be courteous and professional, and could work either in guest areas or crew mess facilities. Some previous experience in a five-star resort on land is preferable, but it’s not something a short-term course with an internship cannot fix.

Barista
Coffee is a fast-growing trend around the world, with demand increasing for specialised preferences. A good barista will learn about the various types of coffees and hone skills on making them just right. It also involves knowing how to grind coffee, take care of equipment and supplies, and also prepare and serve the beverages along with pastries and cookies being sold in the café. You will need to be quick at your work, be a team player and pay attention to detail.

Bartenders
This is a job similar to baristas but focused on alcoholic beverages. Many take short-term courses in bartending and mixology to enable them to create innovative drinks for guests on board. Cruise ship jobs such as this require staff to learn about various brands to market them effectively, engage in a little marketing to promote drink specials, in addition to knowing about recipes. Some cruise ship bartenders also take courses in flair bartending to be able to put on a bit of a show for guests.

Bar utility
Sometimes, cruise ship job seekers may have been unable to take courses, or are faced with a pretty competitive market. Bar utilities assist bartenders in operations by ensuring the work areas are kept clean, organised and well-stocked with essentials including ice, garnishes and mixers. They are also expected to be friendly and helpful to guests. Some experience in a similar set up may be required but a certification is generally not.

Butcher
Cruise ship galleys go through a great deal of meat each day. Standard and custom cuts are required by various restaurants on board for different meats – poultry, seafood, beef, pork, lamb, etc. On rare occasions one might find frogs legs or alligator. Butchers are expected to know how to debone, trim and tenderise any type and cut of meat ahead of cooking and service. Experience will be required but this is possible in a reputed shore-based restaurant.

Baker’s assistant
On board, everything including bread is made from scratch. This job profile requires you to learn about various types of bread – from sourdough to khabooz – to make high-quality items for the galley. It helps to know how to work the machinery and you will also have to keep the area clean and workstations in order. A short-term course is all you need with a little experience on the side.

Junior pastry cook
In a similar role to the baker’s assistant is a cruise ship junior pastry cook who assists the pastry chef in making pastries, cakes and pies. Basic knowledge in pâtisserie offers a better chance of scoring a job as you will need to know how to understand recipes correctly, and make basic things like butter cream, jams for filling and keep the work space organised. Some experience in a shore-based pastry shop may be required.

How Cruise Ship Chefs Keeps Food Safe From Germs

With thousands of guests and crew to be fed, cruise ship chefs jobs demand close attention to how food is cooked and stored before being served. Even a slight mistake can cause bacteria and germs to proliferate and spread, increasing the risk of infection.

Globally, cruise ship chefs follow strict procedures when it comes to handling food. The main aim is to keep it out of the temperature range between 4 degrees Celsius and 60 degrees Celsius (4°F and 140°F). This range is known as the Danger Zone and is most ideal for bacteria to thrive, thus greatly increasing the risk of infection.

Bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, salmonella enteritidis, escherichia coli (e.coli) and campylobacter are the most common disease-causing microbes found in food. A small percentage of the human population can carry some of these microbes (such as staphylococcus) in safe numbers long-term, but it’s when they start breeding uncontrollably that the problem arises.

They produce toxins that poison the human body, and such food-related illnesses are so common that millions get sick each year simply from poor hygiene and unsafe cooking and storage methods.

Cruise ship chefs know that food should never be left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, or without sufficient heat for more than an hour. This means they need to plan ahead, particularly since most meat is frozen.

The most acceptable way to defrost meat is to place it in the refrigerator overnight in a way that neither the meat nor its run off juices can come in contact with other cooked food or vegetables. This ensures that the meat is stored under 4 degrees Celsius while it defrosts and is ready to be used the next morning.

Due to the volume of food that needs to be cooked, most produce and meat is frozen in large batches. But some specific food might need to be bagged or bought in smaller quantities – truffles, caviar, specialty cheeses, etc – as only small amounts are needed at a time. For this, they might need to more finely estimate the amount needed for the upcoming meal before taking it out of storage.

Vegetables are always washed well in cold water to remove any bacteria and soil residue. They must be kept well away from uncooked meats and must always be prepared on separate cutting boards or work stations. Even the knives, other cutlery and clean dishcloths must be used around raw vegetables, particularly those that will be going into a salad or used as crudités.

When cooking, cruise ship chefs know that they must allow meat to attain a certain temperature to ensure that all the bacteria have been killed. Red meat, including beef, pork, lamb and veal, should reach an internal temperature of at least 63 degrees Celsius (145°F), then rested before service. If the meat has been ground, it should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 71 degrees Celsius (160°F). For poultry, the internal temperature of the meat should measure at least 74 degrees Celsius (165°F) to be considered safe to eat.

However, care should be taken that the raw meat should have been out of the danger zone before being cooked as the toxins that some bacteria produce are heat resistant.

Any leftovers are cooled quickly in shallow containers, then stored in clearly marked containers and refrigerated within two hours. The containers on cruise ship vessels are required to show information such as the name of the dish, any specific common allergen ingredients and a use-by date.

These should be used quickly if stored in a fridge at 4 degrees Celsius (40°F) or they should be frozen at -18 degrees Celsius (0°F) where bacteria are rendered inactive.

To reheat food, the entire dish must evenly reach an internal temperature of at least 74 degrees Celsius (165°F) before it can be considered safe to be consumed.

Common Culinary Terms Cruise Ship Chefs Should Know

The organised chaos that defines cruise ship chefs jobs can throw any newbie off. Directions are shouted, information cross-checked and everyone runs around attempting to reduce the time between order and service.

In the midst of all this, being unfamiliar with common culinary terms can slow cruise ship chefs down. It helps to get acquainted with words that you may hear in the galley. Here are just a few:

Al dente

Pasta is an all-time cruise favourite on cruise ships and preparing it right is essential. Typically, recipes require pasta to be cooked al dente, which literally means ‘to the tooth’. It means the pasta should have a soft bite; it should not be soft and mushy. Cooking pasta al dente involves using the right pot, the right amount of water and salt, and draining the pasta on time.

Baste

Basting is an excellent way of showcasing the depth of flavour of any type of meat. It is used primarily in cooking styles where meat is exposed to heat over long periods of time. Basting involves periodically coating the meat with either its own juices, a sauce or marinade as it cooks.

Dash, Dice, Julienne, Pinch, Smidgen

Recipes often call for quantities that don’t appear specific. For amateur cooks, estimating has few negative consequences. But for professionals such as cruise ship chefs, the high standards require hundreds of dishes and dozens of plated meals to look and taste exactly the same.

When the recipe calls for a dash, add 1/8th of a teaspoon. Dicing involves cutting the pieces to a size of 1/4th or 1/8th of an inch. When asked to julienne vegetables, they are expected to be approximately 1/4th of an inch thick and an inch long. A pinch is 1/16th of a teaspoon, while a smidgen is 1/32 teaspoon.

Bouquet garni

Cruise ship chefs make stocks and soups from scratch. For these, a bouquet garni is essential. Typically, it’s a bundle of herbs tied with string or stuffed into a small sachet made of cheesecloth, then cooked with other ingredients and removed before the dish is consumed.

Frenching

Aesthetics play a big role in cruise ship dishes. Frenching is usually done to lamb, pork, beef and chicken to make it both easier to eat and also make the dish look clean. To do this, chefs move the meat and fat away from the bone which can then be held when eating the meat. This technique is used for chops, chicken breast or leg, and tomahawk steaks.

Quenelle

This term became increasingly popular with the public with the success of Masterchef Australia. It’s a technique by which a spoon – or two – is used to give a presentable oval shape to soft foods such as creamed meat or ice cream. For meats, the quenelle is usually coated with breadcrumbs and egg before being poached to help hold its shape.

Xylitol

Along with stevia, agave nectar and coconut sugar, xylitol is fast becoming popular as a plant-based sugar substitute. Some of these, such as xylitol, are regarded as a safe alternative for diabetics and are well-liked by the health-conscious. With an increasing number of guests with food restrictions travelling on cruise ships, chefs must stay up to date with changing trends.

Culinary Nightmares For Cruise Ship Chefs

Pic : luis_molinero / Freepik

Cruise ship chefs jobs can be tough. Cooking for thousands of people three times a day is no mean feat and can be a nightmare. Cruise lines have standard operating procedures to follow for smooth running of the system. But there are always a few fears that cruise ship chefs hope never materialise.

UNTIDY STAFF

This doesn’t seem like much but if you have juniors working under you who do not clean up after themselves, it can be very frustrating. Having a poorly managed work-space can throw cruise ship chefs off their game, and no one wants to get started on a bad note when there are hundreds of hungry mouths to feed.

MALFUNCTIONING EQUIPMENT

One of the worst nightmares for cruise ship chefs is dealing with equipment giving out. A simple thing as having the stand mixer stop in the middle of kneading can add many more minutes to your already long day. Imagine not realising that the ice cream churner gave up 5 minutes after you left it to do its job. It means having to start from scratch all over again.

Malfunctioning equipment can also stretch to huge ovens and electric chafing dish warmers. There are engineers on board to help fix these issues but it might not be immediate.

BAD WEATHER

Sudden nasty climatic conditions can ruin anyone’s trip. With global warming and climate change very real now, cruise ships sometimes have no choice but to weather a sudden storm. Most guests on board are not used to a tossing ship and can get seasick easily.

This means that cruise ship chefs must work accordingly. First, their estimates of meal types and numbers go askew as some people do not eat at all when feeling sick, while others like to have a good wholesome meal. Secondly, they might need to make food that’s easy on the stomach – like soups, brews and stews, which do not hold very well in their serving dishes on a ship trying to ride very large waves.

SERIOUS FOOD ALLERGIES

Guests can be rather careless at times. Most are required to let cruise companies know of any dietary restrictions so cruise ship chefs can cook food accordingly. However, in the rare case that a guest has left out allergen information or is unaware of it, it can be a bit problematic for cruise ship chefs.

It may not be their fault at all, but no chef wants the trauma of someone else’s severe allergic reactions connected with them at all.

DELAYED VENDORS

One of the biggest attractions on cruise ships is its food. To maintain high standards, ingredients need to meet the mark on quality and freshness. Cruise ships can only access fresh produce in port, so if a vendor is delayed, cruise ship chefs can be in a fix.

Typically it is then the onus of the vendor to ensure that the shipment reaches the next port on time, but this still presents a problem to cruise ship chefs who must now make do until that time.

FOOD POISONING

The last thing cruise ship chefs want on board is for guests to have a case of food poisoning. It might not even be the cruise line’s fault. Perhaps the guests ate something dodgy in port and fell sick after the ship set sail. If a significant number of guests fall sick, it could be bad business for the company. There will be inspections and analyses of how the issue occurred. There might even be new procedures put in place if a few – maybe even unrelated – lapses are noticed.

Cruise Ship Chefs: Prepping for Peak Hours

So many people eat on a cruise ship at every meal that the main dining halls have staggered eating times. Menus at both buffets and à la carte restaurants can be complex and elaborate. Ensuring that every guest is served within a decent time frame can be stressful. It is here that proper planning plays a key role in service for rush hour. Cruise ship chefs begin prepping meals the previous day. It begins with a look through the menu to understand the requirements of all the meals that will be served. This includes all the dishes – from salads to desserts, beverages and cocktails.

Estimates are made of the number of dishes expected to be ordered and a requisition form is sent to the provisions staff. This form includes every ingredient required for the next day’s meal. The provisions team ensures that all of these ingredients are readily available for the cruise ship chef the next day.

Preparations for rush hour begin early. Often, this can mean turning up at 4am for a 6am breakfast. Breads, donuts, pastries and other items are quickly put together and sent into the ovens to bake in batches. Meats or vegetables that need marination are set aside in the mixture and refrigerated until required.

Preparations for peak hour also include cruise ship chefs taking care of salad dressings, roux, meat gravies, coulis, jus and other accompaniments to main dishes. This way, when the time comes, they can concentrate on making fewer elements of the entire dish and simply ladle the accompaniments on quickly.

In this case, labels are very important. As soon as something is prepped, it goes into an appropriate container or bag and labelled with a name or description and the date or time. This helps cruise ship chefs know if something has been freshly prepared or it has gone past its use by date or time and could pose health risks if used.

If possible, best-selling items in each kitchen are prepared ahead of time to avoid any backlogs during rush hour. These could be certain items that the cruise ship has recorded as popular fare among its passengers over time.

Special orders are significant as they are out of the way but need to be made with extra focus and attention. These include meals for those with allergies and other dietary restrictions for health, religious or lifestyle reasons.

It helps greatly when special orders or restrictions come in ahead of time so cruise ship chefs can prepare early, sometimes making a meal off menu for the guest. If not, you must be prepared to rustle up something delicious on the go.

Preparing for rush hour on a cruise ship is like strategising a military operation. With key components in place and everyone doing their job with full attention and focus, it is possible to serve every guest to their full satisfaction.

American College Of Culinary & Language Arts

Cruise Life