Becoming a godparent is a massive responsibility. We should know, as Food & Wine’s Best New Chef series was just named the official godparent of Oceania Allurathe newest ship in the Oceania Cruises fleet.

Our new godship, which made its grand debut in July, was officially christened in Miami on November 13, marking a new chapter for Oceania and the very first time the godparent title has been bestowed on a culinary brand rather than an individual.

“At Oceania Cruises, our ships are a celebration of rich culture, exceptional cuisine, and global discovery, and Oceania Allura is no exception,” Jason Montague, the chief luxury officer of Oceania Cruises, shared. “Paying homage to the Food & Wine Best New Chefs program and having its alumni represent as her godparents reflects our belief that food lies at the heart of global exploration. These visionary chefs embody the spirit of culinary excellence, and we are honored to have them join the Oceania Cruises family.”

Many Best New Chef alumni attended the celebration, including Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Katie Button, Calvin Eng, Aisha Ibrahim, George Mendesand Lawrence “LT” Smithwho officiated the Champagne bottle breaking across the ship’s bow to bring good luck to all the ship’s future sailors.

It’s no surprise that many alumni are eager to celebrate this enormous honor, as the Food & Wine Best New Chefs series has welcomed nearly 400 rising stars into the program since it began in 1988.

“For nearly four decades, Food & Wine Best New Chefs have shaped dining in America and inspired the way we experience food,” Tom Bair, the publisher of Food & Wine, said. “We’re thrilled to celebrate this legacy with Oceania Cruises, a partner that shares our passion for extraordinary cuisine and discovery, and to make this milestone christening with journeys where food is every bit as memorable as the destinations.”

Guests onboard the 1,200-passenger ship can anticipate numerous exceptional culinary experiences. These include dining in the signature Grand Dining Room, participating in the Culinary Center and Chef’s Studio to learn how to prepare some of the ship’s finest dishes, and enjoying the return of Oceania Cruises’ renowned French restaurant, Jacques.

Overall, the ship has 12 dining venues, including four “always complimentary” specialty restaurants: Red Ginger, Italian Toscana, Polo Grill, and Jacques, along with Crêperie, where you can always find something sweet. Guests can also always expect the freshest meals since the staff includes one chef for every eight guests, which, really, is precisely the number of chefs we like to have around at all times, too. See the complete list of delicious 2026 itineraries at OceaniaCruises.com.