A Galley Tour

2/22/2016

I can't say how excited I was when we received an invitation for a VIP Galley Tour on Celebrity Summit. Being a "foodie" myself, I love seeing where the amazing quantities of food are prepared, the equipment they use, and the skills involved by the staff to have created the dish that perfectly arrives for each guest.

We were asked to arrive in The Normandie, one of Celebrity Cruises highly-acclaimed specialty restaurants, to start our tour. Upon entering this quiet area during off-hours, we were led into a back door where the the atmosphere quickly changed.

The first thing I noticed was how spotless the galley looked. The shiny silver counters and cabinets were impeccable and immense. Our guide explained the mass quantities of food that they organized for each cruise. I was amazed to hear how much food was truly prepared on board. Working almost around the clock from bakery items to fresh ice cream, they proudly create from scratch almost all of the food served. (Scroll over each picture to continue your virtual tour.)

Making one of the many sauces to be served.

Bowls are prepped and ready to be filled.

The size of this kitchen is unbelieveable. This is only one of the sections.

Preparation of salmon for dinner.

Busy in the bakery section.

My kids were ready to dig in and devour all of this whipping cream.

Even in between meals the staff is hard at work prepping for the next meal. Plus, with numerous specialty restaurants that are now offered, they are even more items and selections to prepare.

One of the many escalators and passageways connecting the galleys and dining rooms.

A welcoming face hard at work.

This particular galley we toured serviced more than one restaurant on board, including the main dining room. The escalator is typically non-stop with wait staff heading up with large trays of food to serve the guests. It's so impressive to see the workings of a ship and how they are able to serve thousands of guests at one time. The staff obviously works tirelessly to make sure the ingredients are fresh, the food is at perfect temperature and each plate is tempting to the eye, as well as to the stomach.

Fun for the whole family, definitely take a galley tour if offered on your next cruise. Cruising is known for it's expansive menus and high-quality food. It's amazing to see how and where this food is prepared. Also, if you get a chance, indulge in a cookbook comprised of recipes directly from the ship's galley and create your own favorite memorable dishes at home (in smaller quantities, of course!)