Oceania Cruises has launched The Floating Pastry Academy, a new multi-year training program for its onboard chefs, and first of its kind for the cruise industry, created in partnership with digital training platform, The Butter Book.
Through the new training partnership, more than 200 Oceania Cruises’ pastry and bakery chefs will complete the three-year program which will mix theory with practical assessments, both online and in person on board its vessels.
The new Floating Pastry Academy establishes a long-term model for pastry and baking education at sea, providing Oceania Cruises’ culinary talent with a structured pathway to deepen technical expertise and refine their craft.
The new partnership was the brainchild of Chef Eric Barale, Oceania Cruises executive culinary director and a member of the Maîtres Cuisiniers de France (Master Chefs of France), and founder of The Butter Book, Chef Sébastien Canonne, who has been awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France.
“This new academy reflects the respect we share for the traditions that shaped us, and for a passion for culinary excellence at sea. Culinary excellence starts with our people, and this new program will reinforce the consistency, refinement and artistic precision our pâtisserie demands, while nurturing the professional growth of our chefs,” said Chef Barale.
“Investing in your people is essential to sustaining luxury,” added Chef Canonne, M.O.F. “This academy creates a model designed for enduring excellence and innovation, supporting the fleet’s growth without compromising on technique or quality.”
The Floating Pastry Academy will offer expanded training, elevated service standards and enriched onboard experiences. Its launch transforms traditional onboard training into a progressive curriculum featuring:
- Multi-year learning pathways tailored to pastry and bakery roles
- Mandatory foundations for new team members
- Role-based specialization with defined progression
- Chef-led digital courses, quizzes and hands-on assessments
- Certification at each stage to strengthen long-term culinary careers
The academy complements Oceania Cruises’ investment in French culinary heritage, including the introduction of La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, the first restaurant at sea created in partnership with MCF, set to debut aboard Oceania Sonata in 2027. The ninth vessel in the Oceania Cruises fleet, Oceania Sonata will be the first of five new-generation ships and will sail her maiden voyage in August 2027.
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