16 Aug 2009

Royal Caribbean International has selected award-winning chef Keriann Von Raesfeld to head 150 Central Park restaurant on the Oasis of the Seas, which is slated to set sailing in December.

Royal Caribbean discovered Von Raesfeld at the 2008 World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Congress in Dubai, where she was the first American and the first woman to win the honor of “Best Young Cook in the World.” She also led Team USA to a first gold medal at the Scothot Competition in Scotland and was part of Team USA’s regional team that won the first-ever gold medal at the Culinary Olympics held in Germany.

“Keriann Von Raesfeld’s incredible talent and innovative vision for 150 Central Park is the perfect fit within the constellation of culinary offerings aboard Oasis of the Seas,” says Frank Weber, vice president of food and beverage operations for Royal Caribbean International. “Rather than partner with a traditional celebrity chef to lend a name to our signature restaurant, we found one that is a true star in her own right.”

Von Raesfeld received formal training from the Professional Culinary Institute and her signature dishes include spicy “hot” gazpacho and a Kobe steak entree served with shitake “bacon” and a celery root puree, and an acclaimed banana split which requires a day-and-a-half of preparation.