New Hands-On Cooking Classes: Culinary Vacations Aboard Vista

It has been wonderful to meet so many of you aboard Vista at The Culinary Center. For those of you who are preparing for an upcoming cruise on Vista or are thinking of planning a trip soon, be sure to carve out some time to visit our beautiful new Culinary Center. Our guests are loving the light, bright and spacious new set-up that gives each one of them a designated cooking space. And we have designed a full lineup of brand new, hands-on cooking classes to choose from on Vista. Combined with our new and evolved dining experiences on board, Vista creates the perfect culinary vacation. Come explore the distinctive regions of French gastronomy, learn about the art of food and beverage pairing or join a dessert party with us. Read more about our exciting new cooking classes below:

1. BRUNCH AROUND THE GLOBE
Nothing is more universal than brunch. This class showcases brunch fare from all corners of the world. Master new brunch recipes for your next holiday or sporting gathering. The recipes are easy, make-ahead favorites so you can enjoy your family and guests while serving them different and delicious dishes.

2. HARVEST UNLEASHED
The latest passion in the food world is everything plant-based. Chefs love the challenge of making delicious foods from plant sources, so join us in The Culinary Center and learn the secrets of cooking our favorites. Since so many of these recipes depend on culinary technique, you’ll be able to bring out the flavor in anything you encounter at your local farmers market. The recipes are surprisingly delicious – join us to immerse yourself in the plant-based foodie world.

3. CLASSIC FRENCH TECHNIQUE
There has long been a mystique surrounding French technique and its dominance in the culinary world. This class is designed around a few classic French techniques that will appeal to both the novice cook and the experienced gourmet. Using the foundation of two illustrious chefs – our own Executive Culinary Director, Master Chef Jacques Pépin, and the iconic Julia Child – this class will not skip out on the favorite subject of these two great chefs – pairing food and wine the way it was meant to be.

4. IT’S A DESSERT PARTY
Vista is all about experiencing your world from a new perspective, and you’re invited to try something fresh at The Culinary Center – a dessert party in our beautiful new culinary facility. Make your early dinner plans as usual, then join us at 8:00 p.m. for a dessert and beverage class before the evening show begins. You might prepare a decadent lava cake paired with a glass of Champagne, or you might make a crêpes Suzette paired with a Grand Marnier spritzer. Join us for a marvelously sweet way to spend your evening between dinner and the show.

5. LOVERS FOREVER
If you cherish the challenge of pairing dishes with beverages – wine, beer and cocktails – then this class is for you. We delightfully bend all the rules and dive into how a chef thinks when they pair beverages with recipes. Join us to prepare some delicious dishes and enjoy lively discussions on how to pair these recipes with both conventional, traditional choices as well as some wonderfully unexpected serving selections.

6. MASTERING HEAT: UNLEASHING INTENSE FLAVOR
Whether in a searing-hot pan or on a fiery grill, there is no controversy on how heat transforms ingredients. Learn the secrets of grill masters and chefs that will turn your stove, grill and broiler into your preferred culinary cadre. The techniques that ensure a perfectly cooked steak or create desirable grill marks on your vegetables are the basis of this popular class. Whether a novice, expert or somewhere in between, you’ll walk away with plenty of tips that will enhance your culinary skills at home.

7. PASSPORT TO THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION
This class focuses on the magnificent ancient cuisines of Morocco, Turkey and Israel. A favorite class of our Chef Instructors, it showcases authentic recipes that bring together the complex and sensual ingredients that have influenced cultural civilizations around the globe. You may not be familiar with these cuisines, and that makes this class all the more of a treasure. Join us for an unforgettably delectable adventure.

8. PASSPORT TO THE BRITISH ISLES AND IRELAND
The abundance of farms and easy access to the sea throughout the British Isles and Ireland are celebrated in this class. We’ll dispel the mythology that British cuisine is boring – and you’ll be thrilled with some delicious recipes that are a modern twist on some old favorites.

9. PASSPORT TO GREECE
The regions of Greece host tantalizingly diverse cuisines, from the Ionian Sea and its proximity to Italy to the southern, isolated island of Crete to the mainland and the Dodecanese Islands bordering Turkey. Join us for an enlightening and in-depth dive into one of the culinary world’s most culturally diverse cuisines – and one that has captivated the attention of health advocates around the globe. The featured recipes are both guest and chef favorites.

10. PASSPORT TO FRANCE
French cuisine is definitively regional, from ocean-inspired bouillabaisse in Marseille to the rich and creamy Camembert from Normandy. This class is an immersion into the storied regions that have made French gastronomy so revered. You’ll learn about the distinctive culinary regions of France and master some dishes from iconic areas that reflect the diversity and depth of the French passion for great food – and wine.

11. PASSPORT TO IBERIA
The Iberian Peninsula is home to some of the most authentic flavorful food on the planet. Our Chef Instructors have uncovered favorite restaurants across Spain and Portugal and have transformed their delectable discoveries into a class rich in traditional and modern treasures from these two vibrant countries. Learn more about the fantastic wines and sherries from the region and enjoy preparing recipes for your next tapas party at home.

12. PASSPORT TO THE NEW WORLD
One of the greatest periods in culinary history was when the explorers returned from the New World with an array of unfamiliar ingredients, from tomatoes to peppers, and literally transformed Mediterranean cuisine. This class showcases the profound and lasting effects the exchange of ingredients from the Old World to the New World – and vice versa – had on both sides of the Atlantic. Come and learn some great new recipes while expanding your culinary horizons.

13. TASTE AND TECHNIQUE: A CHEF’S TOOLKIT
When a chef cooks at home, it is rarely elaborate or fussy. Chefs love taste and are passionate about technique. This class is a fun deep dive into how a chef organizes their home kitchen tools, deploys their skills, chooses ingredients and optimizes flavor. Make some exquisite recipes – and like any good chef – pair them with the perfect beverages.

14. PASSPORT TO ITALY
Italian food is beloved the world over, and the marked differences from region to region are one of the elements that make it so celebrated. In this Passport series class, join us as we travel to different regions of Italy through the lens of culinary heritage and learn what makes the wines and recipes so unique. You’ll enjoy creating delicious recipes and sampling excellent wines paired to perfection.

15. PASSPORT TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC
The North Atlantic hosts regional cuisines built around both seasonality and tradition. Join us for a class of delicious favorites, from Nova Scotia to New York, while listening to Frank Sinatra sing “New York, New York.” Master the perfect Northeastern lobster salad, then move on to a Delmonico steak while sipping on a 21 Club Manhattan.

16. THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA
The relationship between humans and fish is beloved, ancient and mythologized. Fish cookery debacles are just as legendary. With this class, you can consider them history. Join us to learn the art of mastering fish cookery. This class is designed around the foundation of sound fish cookery – techniques that will ensure your proficiency with all sorts of fish and seafood. You’ll also learn how to expertly pair wines with fish. Ocean-to-table cooking has never been so inspired.

And by the way, we are so very excited to launch a few new Culinary Discovery Tours™ in Caribbean cities and islands this winter – St. Lucia, San Juan and two in Mexico, Cozumel and Costa Maya. Stay tuned for details on those tours! Explore more about Vista’s Life On Board and top Vista cruises here.

About Executive Chef & Director of Culinary Enrichment Kathryn Kelly
Chef Kathryn Kelly is the founder and driving force behind The Culinary Center. While overseeing Oceania Cruises’ faculty of dedicated Chef Instructors, she is the chief architect of more than 100 unique culinary classes as well as our popular Culinary Discovery Tours™, our immersive chef-led excursions offered in more than 40 destinations worldwide.

Chef Kelly completed her doctoral studies in epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and holds two master’s degrees in community medicine and biostatistics. After a fulfilling career in health care, she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a chef, graduating with honors from The Culinary Institute of America in the fifth decade of her life.

Chef Kelly resides on Amelia Island, Florida, and in Austin, Texas. She is an avid golfer and the proud grandmother of her three “little sous chefs” Kate, Luke and Jack.