Preparing gourmet meals is second nature for Mahapratabsing (Suraj) Parmaissur, the Senior Executive Chef on Seven Seas Splendor. Indeed, the Mauritian-born chef has a life-long passion for cookery.
“My passion for all things culinary definitely comes from my mother. I used to help her from an early age, preparing food in the kitchen at home.”
Mahapratabsing Parmaissur – Senior Executive Chef, Seven Seas Splendor.
Today, chef Parmaissur is responsible for overseeing the cuisine served in each of the eight dining venues on Seven Seas Splendor, the flagship of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet.
As they sail the seven seas chef Parmaissur tells me he likes to capture the local influence of the destinations they visit. “We often buy in fresh fish and accompany that with unique and fresh, locally sourced ingredients, like berries, from the port of calls to include in our degustation menus in Compass Rose restaurant and other onboard dining venues.”
In the footsteps of food heroes
The culinary influences on chef Parmaissur are many and varied. He explains his homeland of Mauritius has a multicultural flare with lots of different cuisines to savour.
However, a Dutch chef is among his real food heroes. “As I was starting out my cheffing career, Richard Ekkebus (now the executive chef of Mandarin Oriental Landmark Hotel in Hong Kong) was one of the top chefs in Mauritius and also during culinary school. His style and influence really dominated the scene.”
Think beautiful food, plated to perfection
So what does a master chef like Mahapratabsing Parmaissur enjoy eating? “It has changed and evolved a lot over the years, but now I would say I have a special penchant for Japanese food”, he tells me.
“I tend to prefer a modern style of cooking and presentation. Think beautiful food, plated to perfection.”
Mahapratabsing Parmaissur – Senior Executive Chef, Seven Seas Splendor.
Indeed, beautiful food plated to perfection is a hallmark of any voyage with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. In my experience the cuisine is always exceptional, in every restaurant on every ship. That said, chef Parmaissur says the pan-Asian restaurant known as Pacific Rim is a guest favourite. “The most popular dish is probably the Canadian Lobster Tempura, with orange soy, spicy mayo and ponzu sauce. It is truly divine!”
Asked which restaurant on Seven Seas Splendor he prefers, chef Parmaissur said, “It can only be the atmosphere and décor of Compass Rose, which is our largest and signature specialty restaurant.”
Indeed, it is a magnificent venue with an equally impressive menu that changes by the day. So good is the restaurant that guests can even order off-menu! “You can ultimately create your own dish each day of your voyage”, chef Parmaissur quipped!
Seven Seas Splendor is currently exploring the sparkling waters of the Caribbean, before setting sail to Barcelona, Spain for her European summer season. For more information visit the Regent Seven Seas Cruises website.
About the Author: Jason Kerr
