All About Steph Armengol: Our Vice President of Hotel Operations’ French Culinary Heritage, Favorite Wines & More

Raised in the South of France, Vice President of Hotel Operations Steph Armengol was born into the culinary life. His parents owned a seafood restaurant and hotel by the sea, where he worked as a teenager. Immersed in the hospitality life from a young age, Steph followed in his brothers’ footsteps and joined his first ship at age 21 for a brief summer position. Little did he know, this “summer gig” was the beginning of a long and fruitful career in the cruise industry. Twenty-two years later, not only is Steph passionate about the work he does, he recognizes how the culture on board made the experience so much more meaningful and fostered a passion that opened so many doors along the way.

“Working with people from different countries and cultures is the best part,” he said. “Working on board a ship, you are also exposed to opportunities, which led me to different positions in other departments – restaurants, food & beverage, housekeeping, provisioning, cost control and eventually, I became a General Manager.”

After being appointed General Manager for sister-brand Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Steph was asked if he would consider moving to South Florida for a shoreside position. He accepted the challenge and decided to call Miami his home in 2006. Having worked aboard ships, Steph has gained vast knowledge and skills which assist him in his day-today decisions as Vice President of Hotel Operations for Oceania Cruises.

“We must continually think about innovation and what we will need the experience to be in the years ahead,” Steph said. “The human factor is also critical – here at Oceania Cruises, we have a strong family culture with our crew and understand the balance of life, work, time away from home and the importance of family related matters. That understanding truly is key and stays with me.”

Culinary Passion: Wine & Tastes of Home
Earlier in his career, Steph was a sommelier. The famous quote from Robert Louis Stevenson, “Wine is bottled poetry,” is his favorite way to describe his relationship with wine.

“You do not need to know about wine to appreciate it.” Steph said. “When hosting people, I always try my best to find a wine they will like regardless of their knowledge about wine. Everyone has a different taste and there is a taste for everyone with wine.”

His personal tastes range from California and New World wines to French favorites from regions near where he grew up.

“I take a certain pleasure discovering new world wines with a preference for Californian Meritage. Due to my upbringing in France I remain a fervent devotee to my area, Corbières and Fitou,” Steph said. “I also have rare vintages of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone in my wine cellar. Whatever you drink, opening a bottle of wine while cooking is a moment to cherish.”

On board our ships, his culinary tastes draw him to the French favorite, Jacques – it’s one of his restaurants of choice because of what the dishes evoke for him.

“Jacques offers a menu that is so authentic that some dishes such as the creamy pumpkin soup and duck parmentier with orange-braised carrots and micro cress salad remind me of my mom’s cooking. And what’s better than that?” Steph said.

Traveling has also provided Steph with the chance to explore and discover wonderful restaurants around the globe. Even so, Steph reveals that some of the favorites are those close to home and those to which he has a strong emotional ties, such as his parents’ restaurant as well as a friend’s restaurant near his hometown.

“L'Auberge du Vieux Puits, which refers to an old well that is still on the property, is owned by Gilles Goujon, a three Michelin Star Chef and one of my very good friends,” he said. “The cuisine is based on a traditional foundation, original recipes based on the most amazing ingredients available. For example, The Chef’s “Rotten” Egg with melano black truffles on a wild mushroom and truffle purée served with warm truffled brioche and a mushroom juice cappuccino is one of the most intelligent and delicious dishes I have ever tried – it is highly complex and innovative.”

Favorite Travel Adventures
Of course, Steph’s passion for all things culinary is so intertwined with travel they’re practically inextricable. Remembering his most memorable travel adventures, two come to mind for Steph. The first is when Steph joined his first vessel in 1998 in Venice for the last leg of a world cruise.

“The ship was the destination and an adventure on its own,” he said. “I will not forget the camaraderie and what was the beginning of the next twenty-two years of my career.”

The second that stands out is Steph’s first travel experience in Asia. He went on an overland tour in Beijing and had the chance to visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.

“All of its mysteries – Japan, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia – what an incredible continent with so many different cultures and so much history,” he said. “I was particularly fascinated by the cuisine. Asian food is in a completely different league as opposed to what I had experienced before – the flavors, the scents and the night markets, in particular in Hong Kong and Singapore, were outstanding.”

A Family of Travelers
Steph’s love for travel shapes his family life and the traditions they enjoy too. In fact, Steph and his wife, Zaneta, enjoy traveling so much, they decided to spend their honeymoon on a Mediterranean cruise aboard Riviera.

“We had a fantastic time enjoying all of the marvels that Rome, Portofino, Saint-Tropez, Monaco and many other French and Italian ports had to offer. We even extended our travel experience with a two-day pre-cruise land program in Rome and a two-day post-cruise exploration in the oldest medieval town of Saint-Paul de Vence,” he said. “Cruising is the best way to travel, the world should be discovered from the veranda of an Oceania Cruises ship.”

They also have a tradition of spending vacations in different parts of Europe and Steph explains that it always comes back to food with his family and involves many trips down memory lane. After many years and many vacations in Europe, Thanksgiving remains a favorite travel holiday for his family with the focus on the main family event – dinner.

“We love following the tradition with a French twist, I cook with my father and brother – to start, we use a capon as opposed to a turkey, the gravy is replaced by a creamy morel mushroom sauce, we add foie gras to the stuffing, but when it comes to wine, it must be American, Duckhorn Merlot Magnum from Napa Valley is a must.”

And now with a 1-year-old daughter, Charlotte, Steph shares that he sees travel experiences in a whole new light.

“I always look at travel as a humbling experience that provides a new perspective on life and a way of discovering new cultures,” Steph said. “I have been privileged to travel the world aboard ships, but now I am looking forward to rediscovering it with my wonderful wife and daughter.”