Culinary Collection 2023 | Page 44

CHEF FEATURE

SHARING CULINARY SECRETS AT SEA WITH OCEANIA CRUISES

Since joining Oceania Cruises in 2011 , Chef Kathryn Kelly ’ s passion for adult learning has been the driving force behind The Culinary Center . While overseeing a faculty of dedicated chef instructors , she is the chief architect of more than 100 unique culinary classes as well as the popular Culinary Discovery Tours™ , which are immersive chef-led excursions offered in more than 40 destinations worldwide .

Chef Kelly completed her doctoral studies in epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and holds two master ’ s degrees in community medicine and biostatistics . After a fulfilling career in health care , she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a chef , graduating with honors from The Culinary Institute of America in the fifth decade of her life . Chef Kelly resides on Amelia Island , Florida , and in Austin , Texas . She is an avid golfer and the proud grandmother of Kate , Luke and Jack – who spend cherished hours with their “ YaYa ” grilling , cooking and baking for their grateful family .
WHAT HAS YOUR WORK WITH OCEANIA INVOLVED ?
I was hired to launch the first hands-on cooking school at sea for Oceania Cruises in 2010 and have been with the company ever since , expanding the program to chef-led tours on shore and to our newest Allura class ships with state-of-the-art , hands-on teaching kitchens .
HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING WITH A CRUISE LINE ?
I met Oceania Cruises executives Bob Binder and Frank Del Rio and loved their passion for food and travel . I like working for a company that shares my values . I think the greatest way to travel is to taste the world through its food and wines and study the culinary traditions of a place just as energetically as one studies the architecture , art or history of a place .
WHERE DO YOU LOVE TO TRAVEL ?
Anywhere – and I also love the comforts of home .
42 CULINARY COLLECTION Kathryn Kelly