Andrea Zelinski
It's not an exaggeration to describe Jacques Pepin as the founding father of Oceania Cruises' culinary philosophy. He was the line's first executive culinary director, partnering with Oceania in 2003. Pepin has had a long career as a chef, restaurateur, author, PBS television personality and culinary educator.
Twenty-two years later, Oceania and Pepin are refreshing their partnership. Jacques, the French bistro Pepin created for Oceania's Marina and Riviera ships in 2011 and 2012, is coming to the Allura, a ship debuting this July. And, Jacques is coming to the Vista, which debuted in 2023 as the first ship in Oceania's Allura class.
Pepin's role at Oceania has changed in recent years. He stepped down last year as executive culinary director and is now co-chair of the line's culinary advisory council. Before the Jacques restaurant opens on the Allura and the Vista, new executive culinary directors Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale plan to work with Pepin to bring new dishes to the menu and add new twists to dishes that Jacques' diners know.
Quaretti sees the relaunch as a "new generation of Jacques." In planning the menu, Quaretti plans to introduce dishes from his childhood, sharing his vision of French family food.
Pepin said he is game. "This is the perfect opportunity to experiment with some delicious new dishes and to explore unique ways to serve some of the classics that our guests have come to know and love," Pepin said.
The menu will include new items such as beef tartare. Other dishes are duck with a Grand Marnier-infused orange sauce, a veal medallion with a morel sauce and vegetarian items.