GOOD to see TV chef and author Shivi Ramoutar joining P&O Cruises culinary line-up as a Local Food Hero, adding Caribbean spice to the line’s restaurant offerings.

Shivi, renowned for her contemporary Caribbean cooking, will bring her vibrant dishes to new ship Arvia, which joins the fleet in December 2022 with a maiden season from home port Barbados.

She’ll be celebrating her passion for the region’s cuisine with an exclusive collection of dishes at onboard eateries Taste 360 and The Beach House.

As a Local Food Hero, Shivi – resident chef on ITV’s Martin & Roman’s Weekend Best – will join José Pizarro, Kjartan Skelde, Marco Pierre White and wine guru Olly Smith to create Arvia’s menus.

“Shivi’s passion, bold flavour, colourful ingredients and joyful style will bring traditional Caribbean food to our guests,” says P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow.

“As she joins Marco and Olly, José and Kjartan, I am so proud that we have an extraordinary line-up of chefs lending their skills and talents to our dining choice.”

Shivi grew up in Trinidad and sealed her reputation for exciting Caribbean cooking through two cookbooks. She has become a familiar face on television with many appearances.

“Caribbean food is proper fusion food, influenced by all the people who have travelled through the region,” she says.

“I hope to make the dining experience on Arvia as much about limin’ (the Caribbean art of relaxing with friends) as it is about the food.

“The dishes will be my interpretation of the Caribbean flavours which have influenced my life.”

Arvia will offer 14-night Caribbean fly/cruise itineraries from January 2023 to March 2023, and from October 2023 to March 20024.

See www.pocruises.com for itineraries and pricing.