Internationally renowned celebrity chef, Luke Mangan, will take his culinary expertise to sea with the launch of a signature restaurant, Salt Grill by Luke Mangan, on P&O Cruises’ latest superliner Pacific Jewel.

Salt Grill by Luke Mangan will provide an exclusive dining experience on the superliner, which will be launched in Sydney on December 12, offering cruises to the South Pacific from Sydney year-round.

The partnership with Mangan is part of P&O Cruises’ ongoing program of innovation for its three-ship fleet, which has seen a total revamp of its food and wine offerings over the past year.

Salt Grill by Luke Mangan will join an award-winning list of Mangan’s restaurants including Glass Brasserie in Sydney, Salt Tokyo and South food + wine bar in San Francisco.

Trained in French cuisine, Luke Mangan said he was excited to take his love for cooking to sea on Pacific Jewel.

“I want to create an intimate restaurant which passengers will enjoy so much it’ll be one of the highlights of their holiday experience,” Luke said.

“I’m excited about showcasing wonderful Australian meat and seafood by serving light, simple recipes that allow the produce to shine.”

The boutique restaurant’s mouth-watering menu will feature a range of Mangan’s signature dishes including Salt Grill Crab Omelette, Enoki Mushroom Salad and Miso Broth.

Ann Sherry CEO Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said food was such as integral part of cruising, and this partnership would further extend the range of fine dining options available.

“This is the first time an Australian chef has been brought onboard a cruise ship and the partnership with Luke reinforces our commitment to culinary innovation that continues to exceed the expectations of our passengers,” Ms Sherry said.

“We have just completed an overhaul of our menus to bring passengers the best in Australian produce and wines, and now we have one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs to deliver one of the most exclusive fine dining experiences at sea.”

Luke’s Executive Chef, Joe Pavlovich, will join Pacific Jewel for her repositioning voyage from Singapore to Sydney to prepare the restaurant. Luke will also sail regularly on the ship throughout 2010.

Passengers can join Luke Mangan on Pacific Jewel’s maiden five-night voyage from Sydney to Burnie in Tasmania via Melbourne on December 13, 2009. Fares are available from $1099* per person twin share.

At 70,310 tonnes, Pacific Jewel will carry 1950 passengers and feature one of the largest spas at sea, an open-air deck with aerial stage for circus and music performances, a three-storey atrium foyer and almost 200 private balcony cabins, the most in P&O Cruises’ fleet.