Silversea’s new culinary program, SALT (Sea and Land Taste), is poised to revolutionize culinary travel for the cruise line’s guests when it launches aboard the new Silver Moon in August 2020. This pioneering concept will allow travelers to use food to delve into the world’s richest cultures and truly understand the soul of each destination. Between March 8 and 21, a select group of culinary enthusiasts were able to sample the new SALT program as a pilot experience, enjoying various immersive culinary experiences on two Silver Moon voyages in Asia. The response to the pilot was overwhelmingly positive, indicating the concept’s success and the demand for immersive culinary travel.
Taking guests on a culinary journey of discovery, Silver Moon will showcase an entire ecosystem of global food culture through the SALT program. Guests will dine in fine dining at eight restaurants – each with a distinct concept, from Silversea’s signature volcanic stone cooking at The Grill to authentic Japanese cuisine served at Kaiseki. However, the most immersive dining experience offered onboard will take place at SALT Kitchen – a space entirely dedicated to the authentic flavors of the destinations visited. Replacing the space previously occupied by Indochine, SALT Kitchen will offer an ever-changing menu and a regionally inspired wine list, allowing diners to forge a meaningful connection with the local culture. At the adjacent SALT Bar, guests can enjoy local beverages to further connect with the destination.
This holistic approach to culinary exploration will be further enhanced at the Silver Moon SALT Lab, another new space where Silversea guests will delve into local food cultures under the guidance of expert local chefs and industry figures. The SALT Lab will replace La Dame, which will be repositioned on Deck 8, where the expanded restaurant will accommodate more than three times its previous capacity. At the Silver Moon's SALT Lab, guests will learn about local ingredients and artisanal techniques through workshops, tastings, and demonstrations. Authenticity will be the menu's priority, and themed experiences will be tailored to the region guests are visiting. Travelers will experience the world's food cultures firsthand on shore excursions before returning to the ship to truly dissect the experience. In the pilot program, for example, guests discovered the history, conventions, and secrets of Balinese cuisine while sailing between Bali and Sandakan, Malaysia. Food expert and Ubud Royal Family member Maya Kerthyasa shared stories of her grandmother's traditional recipes and led a spicy pasta workshop, in which participants learned about the regional culinary culture through a first-person cooking experience.
From the Silver Moon, Silversea guests will expand their knowledge of the world's culinary cultures through unique onshore experiences. In Bali, for example, travelers participating in the SALT pilot program experienced authentic culinary practices passed down through generations: guests ventured into the Balinese jungle to sample wild honey, specially harvested for the occasion, and other indigenous ingredients.
Three-time winner of the prestigious James Beard Journalism Award and former Editor-in-Chief of Saveur magazine, Adam Sachs, will oversee the SALT program, using his journalistic experience and knowledge of food to share the most interesting culinary stories with guests.
“The response to our recent test voyages between Bali and Singapore has been truly fantastic and underscores just how unique and compelling the SALT experience is for food-oriented travel,” said Sachs. “By combining bespoke excursions with fascinating talks and onboard cooking experiences, we enable guests to return with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the flavors, cultures, and food traditions of the places we visit. We are looking at each itinerary for Silver Moon’s inaugural season and asking ourselves: What story can the food and drink of this region and country tell? How can we create an experience that helps get to the heart of what makes each place special? What are the flavors and ingredients that we simply can’t miss here? We are taking an adventurous, inquisitive, and open-minded approach to culinary travel and can’t wait to share those flavors and experiences with our guests.”
Once launched, Silver Moon will be a sister ship to the company's flagship, Silver Muse, reflecting the ship's renowned luxury and Italian elegance to offer guests a superlative cruise experience. Maintaining the intimacy of a small ship and the spacious accommodations that are hallmarks of the Silversea experience, Silver Moon will unlock profound travel experiences for guests, while they enjoy industry-leading service. Enhancing the journey are amenities such as wine, champagne and spirits, specialty coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks served throughout the ship, a stateroom minibar stocked with guest preferences, 24-hour in-suite dining, and complimentary Wi-Fi access.
