Celebrity Cruises has chosen a renowned chef to be the Godmother of Celebrity Xcel.
Janaína Torres, who was voted World's Best Female Chef 2024, has been named the Godmother of Celebrity's newest cruise ship.
She is the first Brazilian chef to hold the honor for a major cruise line, marking a new era of elevated culinary experiences at sea.
"We are honored for Chef Janaína Torres, a trailblazer in the culinary industry, to be Godmother of Celebrity Xcel," said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises."
"Janaína shares our commitment to celebrating and sharing global culture through elevated culinary experiences, connecting diners with culture through unique food experiences.”
Along with holding the title of World's Best Female Chef of 2024, she's also widely recognized for her innovative and no-waste approach to cooking.
Throughout her career, she's won numerous international accolades, such as Latin America’s Best Chef 2023 and the American Express Icon Award.
She's also the co-owner of the award-winning restaurant A Casa do Porco in São Paulo, Brazil, and oversees a range of other hospitality venues.
Recently, she launched À Brasileira, a broad gastronomic-cultural project for researching, valuing, and promoting Brazilian culture through food.
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According to Celebrity Cruises, choosing Torres as the Godmother is more than a symbolic maritime gesture; it represents bold, purpose-driven leadership that creates a connection between travel, culture, and cuisine in ways that resonate with today’s travelers.
"I've always believed that fine dining should be accessible, not intimidating. Food brings us together, connecting us through new flavors, traditions, and shared memories," said Torres.
"I’m proud to partner with Celebrity Cruises to showcase our culture and cuisine on a global stage."
Her passion for cultural storytelling through food will come to life aboard Celebrity Xcel in The Bazaar, a new, exclusive venue that gives guests immersive experiences to deepen their understanding of the ship's destinations through cuisine and culture.
Torres will christen the brand-new Celebrity Xcel on November 16 as the ship sets sail on her inaugural cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
