Cunard Previews Queen Anne’s New Indian-Themed Restaurant

Cunard’s newest, most recent immersive dining experience featured a three-course meal for VIP guests and was held in The Verandah onboard the Queen Victoria, while the ship was docked in Southampton on Dec. 11, 2023.

The Aranya preview was hosted by Surjan Singh, known as Chef Jolly. Coming from India, the chef is working with Cunard to develop the Aranya menu and has a three-decade career in restaurant business.

His achievements include senior positions at the Taj Palace in New Delhi, the Goa Marriott Resort, the JW Marriott Mumbai, the Renaissance Mumbai, and London Marriott West India Quay Hotel, the company said, in addition to stints on MasterChef India and MasterChef Junior, India.

Alongside Cunard’s Culinary Development team, led by Gareth Bowen, the chef delivered a host of dishes for the festive feast, starting with a selection of appetizers including smoked chilly pork belly with buttered pao and pickled red cabbage; roasted sweet potato Tikki with a cumin-beet puree; and a sweet pea, goat’s cheese and almond kofta.

A choice of mains comprised roasted wild turbot with tamarind chili tomato; slow roasted beef short rib with caramelized red onion-cashew nut yogurt gravy; masala roasted cauliflower with wild mushrooms; and a pot sealed Biryani filled with Welsh lamb shoulder.

To finish, a trio of desserts were served – a jamun, passionfruit mascarpone with a hazelnut nougat; a Malai- Lychee kulfi; and a fresh cut fruit chaat masala.

According to Cunard, Aranya has been designed “to surprise and delight guests, taking diners on a journey through the rich spice flavors of India with menus curated by experts in their field.”

The venue is intended to transport guests on a multi-sensory tour of the Indian subcontinent, the company added, with interiors that include floor-to-ceiling windows and luxurious finishings.

Aranya is one of four additional dining experiences that will be available on Queen Anne – alongside Aji Wa, Sir Samuels, and Tramonto.

The evening-only dining venue will be available to guests as a supplement, complementing the included options offered for lunch or dinner elsewhere on the ship.

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