Cunard unveils line up for third Great Australian Culinary Voyage
Cunard has revealed the Australian culinary experts who will join celebrity chef and restaurateur, Matt Moran, on the British luxury cruise line’s third edition of its highly popular Great Australian Culinary Voyage
Julie Goodwin, Nornie Bero, Darren Purchese and Katie Spain will set sail from 6 February 2025 serving up culinary excellence through engaging activities, including special interactive dining events, live talks and carefully curated experiences on board and ashore.
The lineup:
Julie Goodwin
MasterChef Australia’s inaugural season winner, Julie Goodwin will take on the role of official MC, sharing her passion for food and cooking with guests on board. Now author of Australia’s best-selling cookbook, Our Family Table, Julie is a household name through her regular appearances on TV and will bring her popular recipe ideas to fans on Queen Elizabeth.
“Winning MasterChef so many years ago has given me some amazing opportunities, and this is one I am really excited about,” Goodwin said.
“I’ll be joining some of the best-known food names in the country for Cunard’s Great Australian Culinary Voyage in 2025. I’m especially looking forward to meeting guests who are as passionate about food as I am!”
Nornie Bero
The mastermind behind Melbourne’s Mabu Mabu restaurant and acclaimed Torres Strait Island chef, Nornie Bero will sail on board Queen Elizabeth for the first time and celebrate the tastes of native Indigenous flavours during her exclusive takeover of the Lido Alternative Dining restaurant.
Nornie is a member of the Meriam People of Mer Island in the Torres Strait and the undisputed champion of Australian Indigenous cuisine for more than 25 years. She said she was looking forward to sharing creative dishes that tell the story of her heritage with Cunard’s guests.
“I’m an ocean girl at heart and have fond childhood memories of fishing with my father on my home island of Mabu Mabu where we often caught octopus in the reef,’ Bero said.
“I’m excited to be creating a contemporary feast for the senses while at sea while sharing my knowledge and passion of First Nation flavours with food enthusiasts on board Queen Elizabeth.”
Darren Purchese (featured image)
Melbourne’s pastry royalty and host of the Great Australian Bake Off, Darren Purchese will bring his mouth-watering sweet temptations to the Great Australian Culinary Voyage for a third season. He will spoil guests’ tastebuds with his incredibly creative delights during hands-on demonstrations and workshops. In a first for Queen Elizabeth, Darren will serve his favourite new treats at a Night Dessert Bar. A destination not to miss!
Katie Spain
Also returning for seconds, is the vivacious and talented wine expert Katie Spain, who will educate and entertain guests during her popular wine masterclasses and Lunch & Learn sessions. Guests will trial drops from some of Australia’s most popular wine regions as well as from Katie’s favourite up and coming winemakers and vineyards. Spain will also curate and co-host a bespoke shore excursion around the vibrant harbourside city of Hobart.
“Our third edition of the sought after Great Australian Culinary Voyage features a stellar line-up that is guaranteed to be a recipe for success,” president, Cunard, Katie McAlister, said.
“We warmly welcome the exciting new addition of two true icons in their field, Nornie Bero and Julie Goodwin, and the return of two familiar faces, Darren Purchases and Katie Spain.
“This line-up of undisputed culinary royalty will deliver carefully curated on board events coupled with the opportunity to explore Hobart’s famous food and wine scene during shore excursions. We are sure this sailing will tap into the passion of food enthusiasts from around the country.”
Cunard’s Great Australian Culinary Voyage sailing on Queen Elizabeth will depart Sydney on 6 February 2025, calling at Hobart with scenic cruising of Great Oyster Bay before returning to Sydney on 11 February 2025.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
cunard Darren Purchese Great Australian Culinary Voyage Julie Goodwin Kate Spain Katie McAlister Nornie BeroLatest News
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