Above from left: Fine Cut steakhouse; chef Sidney Semedo; Celebrity Millennium in St. Maarten

How did you become a chef? I was born in Cape Verde, a beautiful island country with a rich blend of African and European culinary traditions. I was fortunate to have my mom as a role model— she was a great chef, and she introduced me to a world of flavors from a young age. Spending time in the kitchen with her, I realized that it’ s where I feel most comfortable and inspired. The vibrant culture and diverse ingredients of the island shaped my passion for food. When I moved to Boston as a teenager, I found that being in the kitchen still felt like home.

How did you come to work with a cruise line? My time at Wynn Resorts’ Encore Boston was cut short due to the pandemic and the property’ s closure. Then I received a call from Celebrity Cruises. After researching what the company stands for, it was an easy decision. For Celebrity, food is embedded in its DNA. We take pride in serving the best food at sea, and working for Celebrity has allowed me to uphold my very high culinary standards.

What does your job involve? As the senior director of culinary, I oversee the culinary operation across the entire fleet. This includes managing all aspects of the program, from designing galley layouts to developing menus and recipes. I’ m also responsible for recruiting and HR-related decisions within the culinary team, as well as planning and developing new restaurants and food concepts. I also handle all aspects of cost control and budgeting to ensure our operations run efficiently.

Which onboard dining experiences do you recommend? Guests can enjoy an authentic omakase experience, our curated tasting menus at Eden Restaurant( which can also be served as a vegan tasting) and some of the best buffet offerings at Ocean View Cafe. But if I had to recommend just one, it’ d be the Butcher Block experience at our steakhouse, Fine Cut. It’ s a unique, steak-centric dining experience that truly elevates your time at sea.

images: celebrity cruises

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