MSC Cruises have unveiled two new partnerships that will enrich the food and beverage offering on the line’s upcoming flagship MSC World Europa.
Michelin-starred chef, TV personality and author Niklas Ekstedt has collaborated with MSC Cruises to design the menu for the specialty restaurant Chef’s Garden Kitchen, focussing on the natural ingredients and a farm-to-ocean ethos. This new restaurant will feature the first-at-sea hydroponic garden and guests will be treated to a uniquely immersive experience with the master chef preparing Ekstedt’s extraordinary creations in an open kitchen against a backdrop of panoramic sea views.
Meanwhile, award-winning brewmaster Teo Musso, who created the Baladin Farm Brewery, has worked with MSC Cruises to create a bespoke range of MSC signature craft beers that will be brewed at sea in the ship’s full-scale micro-brewery. The brewery will produce and serve the range of “Oceanic” beers made with desalinated sea water exclusively on board, offering a pils, a bitter and a wheat beer, to be enjoyed alongside classic pub snacks.
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Thanks to the skills and knowledge of Chef Niklas Ekstedt and master brewer Teo Musso, these venues will offer a distinct and elevated experience that will set them apart, in line with MSC World Europa’s mission of redefining the future of cruising.
Chef Ekstedt said: “The menu is rooted in my core philosophy that everything needs to start with the very best natural ingredients and as such the dishes are simple but full of flavour and will feature the hydroponic micro-greens that are grown in onboard in the restaurant to enhance the flavours, texture and colours.”
Birra Baladin founder and brewmaster Teo Musso added: “I have always loved to experiment and be creative with my beers. This partnership with MSC Cruises was a gift, a chance to create not only three new beers but to do so in the most romantic of ways: at sea.”
Chef’s Garden Kitchen
The Chef’s Garden Kitchen’s promises fresh and seasonal flavours, taking its cues from nature. Menu highlights include scallop ceviche, pickled kohlrabi, spruce, lingonberries, grapefruit or for a main dish seared Langoustine tails, carrots, finger lime, infused broth rounded off with a dessert of meringue, sea buckthorn, white chocolate, verbena.
Born in Sweden, the son of a produce seller, Niklas Ekstedt began his strong connection with nature and the Earth’s flavours at a young age. Modernising cuisine with art not technology, Ekstedt combines traditional Nordic cooking and preserving techniques with astonishingly creative combinations of rigorously fresh seasonal ingredients.
This close family bond spoke directly to MSC Cruises, which began and remains a family-owned and operated Company. As a key pillar of the brand, each ship is designed to welcome families of all sizes and ages for the best experience for all involved.
Masters of the Sea
The Masters of the Sea pub has long been a favourite spot to grab a quick bite and to delight in the extensive beer list, but this will be the first time that it features an onboard brewery.
Birra Baladin is an Italian craft and farm brewery with its own blend of delectable flavours, as well as creative innovations and a history steeped in beautiful traditions. The founder and brewmaster Teo Musso is considered the “father” of the Italian craft beer movement and an influential craft beer player, internationally.
He introduced a new concept in the beer business, suggesting to restaurants to use beer as food pairing. He supports the Italian agricultural blockchain to certify the production of real craft beers Made in Italy.
His beers have gained cult status since their inception in the 90s and are still brewed just outside Teo Musso’s hometown (Piozzo) in Piedmont.
MSC World Europa will welcome her first guests from December 2022. She will spend her inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf region, providing the ultimate winter sun cruise experience, when guests will enjoy 7-night cruises from Dubai.
The ship will sail to the nearby modern metropolis of Abu Dhabi, on to Sir Bani Yas Island, Dammam in Saudi Arabia and the breath-taking Al Ahsa oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before heading to futuristic Doha, Qatar, and returning to Dubai with an overnight in the city to discover all the marvels it has to offer.
Departing Dubai on 25 March 2023, MSC World Europa will head to the Mediterranean Sea. In summer 2023, she will offer 7-night cruises calling at the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina, as well as Valletta in Malta, Barcelona in Spain and Marseille in France.
For more information on MSC World Europa, click here.