Geoffrey Zakarian, famed chef and restaurateur and winner of The Food Network's "The Next Iron Chef,"will open two restaurants on cruise ships. Zakarian, who is also a judge on the Food Network tv show, "Chopped" will open upscale eateries on Norweigan Cruise Lines Norweigan Getaway and Norgwegian Breakaway. This celebrity chef trend on cruises has increased in recent years with everyone from Nobu Matsuhisa and Jaques Pepin having on-board restaurants.
USA Today reported that Zakarian will open a seafood restaurant on the ships called Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian and it is set to open up in February 2014.
He will also open up a raw bar on the Norwegian Getaway and another more casual eatery called Ocean Blue on The Waterfront.
"Zakarian has partnered with Norwegian Cruise Lines in a three restaurant deal aboard their newest most luxurious ship, Norwegian Breakaway, that will set sail May 2013 and home port in New York City. On board, Zakarian will oversee Ocean Blue, a fine dining seafood concept, The Raw Bar, a walk-up bar featuring shellfish, crustaceans and wines by the glass and the more whimsical Ocean Blue on the Waterfront, serving up quick seaside favorites on Breakaway's "boardwalk," says Zakarian's website.
Currently, Zakarian oversees The Lambs Club and The National in New York and Atlantic City's The Water Club at Borgata.
Famed chef Nobu Matsuhisa is now also headlining the Crystal Serenity in May. The famous Japanese chef will serve as Executive chef at the Silk Road and Sushi bar restaurants on board.
Nobu restaurants can be found around the globe in places like New York, London and Las Vegas. His restaurant has been on board the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity for a few years now reported The Huffington Post.
French chef Jacques Pepin who is a cookbook author and PBS show host, also opened his restaurant on the Oceania Marina in 2011.
"Forty years ago mothers wanted their daughter to marry a lawyer or a doctor, certainly not a cook. Now we are geniuses," Pépin told USA TODAY at the time. "You used to go to a restaurant before theater. Now the restaurant itself has become the theater."
Marcus Samuelson of Red Rooster in Harlem and also frequent Food Network star also has a restaurant on Holland America when travelers can enjoy his signature dishes.
