Luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises revealed highlights of a refined menu being developed for one of its most popular restaurants, Sette Mari. The new culinary offerings will be fully unveiled during Seven Seas Grandeur’s inaugural season, beginning with its inaugural voyage in November 2023. The culinary offerings will then be integrated across the rest of Regent’s entire fleet.
With a focus on heritage, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Franco Semeraro and his culinary team, including Vice President of Food & Beverage Bernhard Klotz, and Senior Director of Culinary Wolfgang Maier, traveled to the Puglia region of Italy, the area from which Franco and his family hails, to draw inspiration for the project.
“Seven Seas Grandeur will embody a 30-year Heritage of Perfection, which is why I explored my own culinary heritage,” said Semeraro. “I wanted the team to truly experience the hospitality of the Puglia region, not just come away with a few recipes. Our mission was to enrich our existing knowledge of techniques, acquire new skills and discover new ingredients, absorbing the family philosophy that the master chefs of the region apply to their craft, which is translated into a unique dining experience.”
The culinary expedition was documented in a captivating short film. The film captures the essence of Sette Mari’s dining experience – a celebration of the long, lingering family meal, with exquisite Mediterranean cuisine enhanced by the company of loved ones and beautiful surroundings.
While in Italy, Franco and his team visited a number of “Masserias” – farmhouses found on the estates in Puglia, built around the 16th century – discovering century-old cooking techniques and local ingredients.
The team explored the cheese making process of mozzarella, stracciatella and burrata at Masseria Conte; practiced the skill of olive oil production at La Montalbanese and tasted a wide range of oils which is a staple ingredient in Puglia cuisine; and perfected fresh pasta making techniques at Il Capriccio.
Semeraro and Klotz’s teams will focus on perfecting the new and refined dishes for Seven Seas Grandeur’s launch in November 2023. Refined or new dishes on the menu will include:
- Bruschetta al pomodoro
- Zucchine alla poverella
- Cavatelli ai frutti di mare
- Insalata di panzanella alla Masseria Salamina
- Cozze gratinate al forno
- Branzino in agrodolce
- Pasticcini alla mandorle
- “Chef Nino” Cioppino
- Focaccia con pomodorini
Sette Mari’s menu refinement is just one of the many ways Regent Seven Seas Cruises continues to further elevate and refresh its culinary offerings by marrying time-honored culinary traditions with the evolving tastes and preferences of global travelers.
In addition to Sette Mari, Regent will also elevate the menus of its gourmet restaurants Compass Rose, Chartreuse, Prime 7, and Pacific Rim, which will also be unveiled on Seven Seas Grandeur.
Reservations are now open for Seven Seas Grandeur 2023-2024 inaugural season.
SOURCE: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
