Silver Nova puts S.A.L.T. at the top of the ship

September 6, 2023

Silversea‘s ground-breaking culinary arts program is expanded aboard Silversea’s newest ship.

As a reporter who has covered S.A.L.T. since the very beginning, it’s no surprise that this immensely popular offering, a feature on “Silver Moon” and “Silver Dawn”, has an even bigger presence on Silversea’s biggest newbuild ever. S.A.L.T. consists of 4 dimensions. S.A.L.T Kitchen is its restaurant. S.A.L.T Lab is its hands-on cooking school. S.A.L.T. Bar is its showcase of all things drinkable. And S.A.L.T. Experiences are its forays into the cuisine of virtually every port Silversea sails to.

SALT LAB Silver Nova

S.A.L.T. KITCHEN TAKES ITS PLACE AMONG THE MOST POPULAR EATING SPOTS ABOARD “SILVER NOVA”

S.A.L.T. Kitchen’s new headquarters seats more diners than ever before. They’re drawn to menus that spotlight the culinary offerings of each geographic destination “Silver Nova” sails. Every evening, guests have a choice of a Main Menu that highlights the regional cuisine of whatever part of the world “Silver Nova” is in. Even more specific is a second option: A menu created around the cuisine of the port “Silver Nova” has just visited. In this beautifully decorated oasis, the complementary wine list has grown too, featuring the best local vintages and specialty wines. And of special interest to the growing number of passengers who are vegetarian and vegan, every menu offers specialties that are not an afterthought but created especially for them. An omnivore, this writer was amazed at the flavors of each vegan dish he tried.

SALT Kitchen Silver Nova

S.A.L.T. BAR MOVES TO A LARGER, LIGHTER SPACE.

Enormously popular on “Silver Dawn” and “Silver Moon”, S.A.L.T. Bar on “Silver Nova” now overlooks the sea and expands its seating to entertain even more guests. The S.A.L.T. Bartenders continue to attract an audience with their dexterity with the cocktail shaker. Their antics are a particular favorite of “Silver Nova”s female passengers. The Cocktail menu is filled with exotic drinks. But new on Silver Nova, is an emphasis not just on traditional cocktails, but on masterpieces to cater to the growing number of guests who like their cocktails to be imaginative if not alcoholic.

SALT Bar Silver Nova

S.A.L.T LAB IS SIMPLY AMAZING.

The hands-on Culinary School has not just been expanded to accommodate 22 participants; it’s been moved to the most glorious setting imaginable. On Deck 10, with an entire wall of glass, its hour-long cooking classes are among the most popular activities aboard ship. And at night S.A.L.T Lab makes an amazing transition. It becomes S.A.L.T. The Chef’s Table. Just 22 guests are treated to a course-by-course tasting menu presided over by the extraordinarily talented Chefs aboard “Silver Nova”. Virtually every course is accompanied by a wine pairing specifically chosen to compliment every dish served. This is one of the very few added-fee restaurants of the 9 aboard ship, ten if you add 24 hour room service. And it’s worth every penny.

Silver Nova SALT Kitchen

S.A.L.T. EXCURSIONS TAKE PASSENGERS ON CULINARY ADVENTURES AT EVERY PORT.

On our brief 4-day sailing, there were no fewer than 4 S.A.L.T. Experiences ashore. These included a Royal Brunch that took guests from Trieste all the way to the Karst region of Slovenia and a local herb farm for brunch. The next day in Zadar, Croatia, the question was which of two excursions to take: “The Fragrant Local Cuisine of Sibenek Hinterland at Konobo Vinko”—a four course meal pared with regional wines. Or the one this writer took, “Wine and Dine at Bibich Winery” After a ride through the countryside, we arrived at this 500-year-old label’s home. There, Chef Vesna Bebich, wife of the owner, a self-taught and extraordinarily talented chef, presented us with a magnificent lunch served course by course accompanied by the family’s esteemed wines.

Silver Nova SALT Bar

MEANWHILE, ABOARD “SILVER NOVA”, CULINARY CONVERSATIONS PUT THE S.A.L.T. TEAM FRONT AND CENTER.

S.A.L.T. was the brainchild of Silversea’s indefatigable President Barbara Muckermann. She enlisted Adam Sachs, 3-time James Beard Award Winner and former Editor of Saveur Magazine to realize her vision. He in turn built a team of Culinary experts to build S.A.L.T from the stove up.

Aboard “Silver Nova”, well attended Silversea Panels featured a panel of team members: Andrea Tonei (Vice President of Product Strategy), Birgit Vadlau (Vice President Hotel Operations), Laura Lazzaroni (S.A.L.T. Ambassador), Ilaria Edoardi (Executive Director S.A.L.T.) Ann Marie Cornelius (Fleet Executive Chef), Richard Weichbold, (Fleet Corporate Chef) and Adam Sachs himself. Moderating the panel was the newly appointed Fleet Ambassador and Godmother of “Silver Dawn”, Nilou Motamed.

Later, Ms Lazzaroni, Author of “The New Cucina Italiana: What to Eat, What to Cook and Who to Know in Italian Cuisine” (Rizzoli 2021) gave a fascinating illustrated talk about the state of Italian Cuisine. In short, for anyone interested in Culinary Travel, there is simply no match for what you’ll discover aboard “Silver Nova”.