Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that celebrity chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian will create and oversee the opening of his seafood restaurant, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian, on the line’s newest ship, Norwegian Getaway, which will sail year-round to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami beginning February, 2014.
To celebrate this exciting announcement, Norwegian partnered with Zakarian for an exclusive South Beach Wine and Food Festival event this past weekend on Saturday, February 23, 2013, at South Beach’s SOHO House Hotel.
At the event, Zakarian shared the announcement with one hundred of his closest chef and celebrity friends, further signifying Norwegian Getaway’s strong ties to her Miami home. Geoffrey Zakarian’s new restaurant is located in the ship’s hub amongst three expansive, action-packed decks called 678 Ocean Place and includes innovative outdoor spaces along The Waterfront, the ship’s oceanfront promenade offering guests an unparalleled experience with a unique connection to the ocean.
The restaurant, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian, will bring a luxury seafood dining experience to Norwegian Getaway, utilizing all of the ingredients and techniques that Zakarian employs in his land-based establishments, including his signature modern presentations to three distinct dining locations onboard: Ocean Blue, Ocean Blue on The Waterfront, a more casual dining option serving fun and easy fare and The Raw Bar, serving crustaceans and wines by the glass. In developing the Ocean Blue concept for Norwegian’s newest ship, Zakarian orchestrated every aspect of the restaurants, from the delectable menus to the uniforms and the glassware.
On select sailings, Zakarian will also host meet-and-greets with Norwegian Getaway guests, along with in-person cooking demonstrations and intimate cooking experiences for smaller groups. The first location of Ocean Blue will premiere on board Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway’s New York City-based sister ship in April 2013.
“I am thrilled to announce that the Ocean Blue concept we developed for Norwegian Breakaway will also have a home on her Miami-based sister ship, Norwegian Getaway,” said Geoffrey Zakarian. “I am so proud of the concept, menus and décor of this restaurant and know that guests cruising to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami on Norwegian Getaway will greatly enjoy of all of my specialty seafood creations during their cruise.”
Zakarian’s taste, style and passion for fine cuisine have defined his career, which has spanned more than 25 years. An accomplished chef who has presided over some of the country’s top kitchens, he currently has two popular restaurants in New York City – The Lambs Club and The National; one in Atlantic City – The Water Club at Borgata; and a highly acclaimed cookbook “Geoffrey Zakarian’s Town/Country: 150 Recipes for Life Around the Table.” Zakarian emerged victorious in the recent fourth season of Food Network’s The Next Iron Chef, Super Chefs. He appears regularly on Iron Chef America, demonstrating a razor-sharp knowledge of culinary techniques in this fast-paced cooking competition. When he’s not battling in the kitchen stadium, Zakarian stays busy filming CHOPPED, where he is featured as a recurring judge, and highlights his favorite dishes on The Best Thing I Ever Ate.
“Geoffrey is a world-renown chef with an incredible culinary resume and an overall great guy,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “Our guests sailing from Miami on Norwegian Getaway will experience his world-class cuisine in three unique dining outlets. We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Geoffrey and that he is bringing his culinary expertise, creativity and attention to detail to another one of our beautiful ships.”
