Tag: Chefs

Compass Group Hosts the World’s Largest Culinary Celebration for Chef Appreciation Week

15 September 2025

Most of us rarely think about the people cooking behind the scenes — the chefs who fuel hospital wards, campus cafeterias, stadium crowds, and company dining halls. But for one week every September, Compass Group makes sure the spotlight is firmly on them. The global foodservice giant marked Chef Appreciation Week 2025 (September 7–13) with what has grown into the largest culinary celebration in the world.

The initiative began with Donald and Lisa Crutch, founders of Chef Appreciation Week and advocates for recognizing chefs’ dedication both inside and outside the kitchen. When Compass partnered with the Crutch family in 2018, the event expanded beyond the U.S., eventually becoming a worldwide movement. Today, Compass brands in healthcare, education, business, sports, and senior living all take part, creating a ripple of gratitude across continents.

The 2025 edition introduced a fresh look, curated with input from Compass’s Global Culinary Forum — a council of chef leaders across its business. The result was a celebration that felt both premium and purposeful, reflecting the sophistication and diversity of the company’s culinary teams.

So what does a global thank-you look like? All week long, Compass sites hosted Appreciation Stations and Shoutout Boards, giving colleagues and clients a chance to share messages of gratitude. Cafés and restaurants rolled out Chef Specials featuring signature dishes with personal backstories, while kitchens organized family meals that brought front- and back-of-house staff together at one table. Certificates of recognition and social media spotlights rounded out the festivities, with #ChefAppreciationWeek and #LoveMyChef buzzing across platforms.

Behind the campaign is a recognition that chefs do more than cook. “Our chefs and frontline teams are the unsung heroes who bring our culinary vision to life, day in and day out,” said Chef Chris Ivens-Brown, Chief Culinary Officer for Compass Group North America. “Their commitment to safety, excellence and flavor make Compass a leader in our industry.” Deborah Lee, Group Chief People Officer, echoed that sentiment, calling chefs and culinary staff “the heart and soul of our operations.”

Appreciation Week is an invitation to look beyond the plate. It’s a reminder that every salad tossed in a café, every soup ladled in a hospital, every burger flipped at a game is the result of countless hours of skill, care, and creativity. And sometimes, the most meaningful way to honour that is the simplest: just saying thank you.

The World’s Best Female Chef Was Named Godmother of This Cruise Ship

15 September 2025

Cruise ships are no strangers to star power — but usually it comes in the form of Broadway-style productions or celebrity guest speakers. Celebrity Cruises is taking a different tack with the launch of its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel. The line has tapped Janaina Torres, named World’s Best Female Chef 2024 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, to serve as the ship’s godmother, a role steeped in maritime tradition and symbolism.

For those less familiar with the practice, a ship’s godmother is more than a ceremonial title. Historically, the godmother blesses and christens the vessel, embodying its spirit and values as it begins its journeys. In Torres, Celebrity Cruises has chosen a figure whose career is defined by hospitality, generosity, and cultural celebration — qualities that echo the brand’s own positioning at sea.

Torres is best known for her work at A Casa do Porco in São Paulo, a restaurant she co-founded with her husband, chef Jefferson Rueda. The restaurant, which pays homage to Brazilian pork cookery in inventive and democratic ways, has become a destination in its own right and is frequently ranked among the world’s best. What sets Torres apart isn’t only her culinary prowess but also her commitment to accessibility: fine dining that welcomes everyone, not just the privileged few. That philosophy resonates with Celebrity Cruises’ ambition to blend sophistication with inclusivity across its fleet.

The naming ceremony of Celebrity Xcel will, of course, involve the traditional champagne bottle-breaking moment, but the symbolism extends further. By aligning with one of the world’s most celebrated chefs, Celebrity underscores its focus on dining as a central part of the travel experience. It’s not just about feeding passengers — it’s about turning meals into defining memories of a voyage.

Food has always been a major differentiator in the cruise industry, but this announcement feels like a declaration of intent. With Torres as godmother, travelers can expect food and beverage programming that reflects her influence — whether through chef collaborations, menu inspiration, or culinary events at sea. While details remain under wraps, the partnership hints at a future where dining on board is as destination-worthy as the ports of call.

As Celebrity Xcel prepares to set sail, Torres’s presence ensures it will carry not just passengers, but also a culinary legacy rooted in warmth, creativity, and connection. It’s a reminder that on the open sea, food is more than sustenance — it’s the heartbeat of the journey.