Celebrity Cruises has named the ‘World’s Best Female Chef 2024’, Janaína Torres, Godmother of Celebrity Xcel, its new Edge series ship launching this November.
Described as the “most innovative Edge-series ship yet” by Celebrity VP and MD APAC Tim Jones, the fifth ship in the series will make her inaugural cruise in the Caribbean.
Named ‘Best Female Chef in the World 2024’ by World’s 50 Best, Torres is co-owner of the award-winning São Paulo restaurant A Casa do Porco, and recently launched À Brasileira, a gastronomic-cultural project for researching, valuing, and promoting Brazilian culture through food.
The cruise line says her appointment “reflects its commitment to culinary excellence, sustainability, and celebrating culture through cuisine”.
Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge says, “We are honoured for Chef Janaína Torres, a trailblazer in the culinary industry, to be Godmother of Celebrity Xcel”.
“Janaína shares our commitment to celebrating and sharing global culture through elevated culinary experiences, connecting diners with culture through unique food experiences.”
Torres says, “I’ve always believed that fine dining should be accessible, not intimidating. Food brings us together, connecting us through new flavours, traditions, and shared memories”.
“I’m proud to partner with Celebrity Cruises to showcase our culture and cuisine on a global stage.”
On 16 November 2025, Torres will christen the new ship during its official naming ceremony.
From November, Celebrity Xcel will sail her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
In Summer 2026, she will set sail on her inaugural European season in the Mediterranean.
For more information, visit Celebrity Cruises
