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Working closely with crew from our galley, restaurant and bar teams, get to know these impressive individuals from the Godfather of British cooking, Marco Pierre White, to the highly acclaimed wine specialist, Olly Smith.
Known the world over, legendary chef Marco Pierre White has been pushing the boundaries of cuisine for over 30 years. Arriving in London as a 19-year-old with “£7.36, a box of books and a bag of clothes”, he began his training as a commis under maestros Albert and Michel Roux at Le Gavroche. By the age of 33, he had taken the restaurant scene by storm when he became the youngest ever chef to be awarded three Michelin stars. Dubbed the godfather of modern cooking, Marco is regarded by many to have single-handedly put the British culinary scene back on the gastronomy map.
Today, Marco’s passion for serving up superb dishes continues with P&O Cruises. His Celebration Night menus are a treat for all, and, as patron of The Cookery Club he hosts masterclasses and dinners when on board Britannia. And on our Excel class ships, Arvia and Iona, he will host live cooking demos as well as Q&A sessions.
Multi-award-winning wine expert, Olly Smith is best known for his boundless knowledge and infectious enthusiasm on TV cookery shows. His passion for wine has made him one of the UK’s best-loved figures in the world of food and drink.
Olly has been named International Wine and Spirits Communicator of the Year, Drinks Writer of the Year at the Great British Food Awards and the UK’s official Drinks Ambassador to China. He is the author of six books including his latest Home Cocktail Bible, containing every cocktail recipe you could possibly ever want, and is the host of his own podcast A Glass With… On top of all that, Olly is the wine columnist for You Magazine in the Mail on Sunday.
As well as being P&O Cruises resident wine expert, Olly heads up The Glass House, where he has added his flamboyant touch to this popular wine bar and restaurant for over ten years. Not only does Olly oversee the wonderful and varied wine list and wine pairings, he also develops wine tasting experiences for guests to enjoy a selection of dishes to accompany their choice of wine. Olly will join guests on board specially selected cruises to offer tasting masterclasses, book signings and Q&A sessions.
Originally from Cáceres, Spain, José grew up on a farm being inspired by the scents emanating from his mother and grandmother’s kitchens. His glittering career has seen him work in some of the finest Spanish restaurants in Madrid and London, including Eyre Brothers and Brindisa. As well as owning four successful restaurants in London and a gastropub in Surrey, José has recently opened up Iris Zahara in Andalusia – where he offers exclusive culinary experiences.
He is a regular on cookery programmes, the food festival scene and has written five cook books. His passion for fresh, simple, seasonal ingredients showcases the best of Spanish cuisine. José is bringing his talents to Arvia and Iona with his bespoke tapas menus for The Glass House as well as creating street-food-style dishes for Taste 360. José’s Celebration Night menus also feature in The Olive Grove on Arvia’s holidays to the Mediterranean.
Written by
13 Mar 2026
15 May 2026