CHEF FEATURE
GOOD AS GOLD ON AMAWATERWAYS
Culinary director of AmaWaterways Robert Kellerhals received a gold medal from Best of Gastronomie in 2021 . Here he shares his career highlights .
HOW DID YOU BECOME A CHEF ?
I grew up in Switzerland with an older brother who was a chef . When I was seven , I stood spellbound in a professional kitchen watching the team prepare the food , fascinated by the scents , heat , white jackets and discipline . My professional career started at the age of 15 while studying at a culinary school in Switzerland . I then received practical education at Lindenhofkeller restaurant , which was rated 14 points by Gault & Millau , in Zurich ’ s Old Town . I ’ ve also worked in various Gault & Millau and Michelin-starred restaurants in Switzerland .
WHAT ’ S IT LIKE WORKING FOR AMAWATERWAYS ?
Being a chef on an AmaWaterways river cruise ship is never dull . Our chefs prepare every meal with passion and love going ashore to buy seasonal ingredients from all the countries we sail through . I enjoy cooking in different places and learning more about taste from our guests from around the world and , as culinary director , I get to put that knowledge into designing new menus .
WHAT ’ S BEEN A HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER ?
In early 2021 , I was awarded a gold medal by Best of Gastronomie and was appointed as the association ’ s first secretary for Romania , now my home . I was also invited to join the prestigious French association Tables et Auberges de France , which recognizes culinary excellence . It ’ s important for me to evolve and grow in my profession , and I ’ m proud that this hard work has been recognized by these associations — an honor I ’ m able to extend to our ships . I ’ m also proud to have been recognized as a professional member of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs .
Where do you love to travel ?
I love cruising the Lower Danube through Hungary , Croatia , Serbia , Bulgaria and Romania on AmaWaterways ’ Gems of Southeast Europe and Grand Danube cruises . Great wines are produced in this region and it ’ s incredible to introduce our guests to them . I also really enjoy sailing through the smaller German villages along the Moselle River — they too have delicious wines .
60 CULINARY COLLECTION
Robert Kellerhals