Silversea: Interview with the Godmother of Silver Nova
On January 4th, Silversea Cruises officially christened Silver Nova in an intimate ceremony, with Nina Compton as the Godmother.
An award-winning chef, restaurateur, and television personality whose philosophy aligns seamlessly with Silversea’s S.A.L.T. culinary program, Compton was born in Saint Lucia, resides in New Orleans, and received her culinary education at the Culinary Institute of America.
“I am honored to have been appointed the Godmother of Silver Nova,” declared Nina Compton. “Throughout my life, I have explored the various ways in which world cuisines, especially that of my homeland, St. Lucia, and the Caribbean in general, strengthen human connections, facilitate cultural discovery, and celebrate heritage, tradition, and identity. I believe that food and beverages have the power to bring people together, offering insight into a community’s customs as a unifying language. I hope that my journey inspires Silver Nova’s guests to immerse themselves meaningfully in the destinations they visit and engage with people, creating strong relationships, expanding horizons, and enriching themselves personally.”
Silver Nova Madrina
Silver Nova Madrina
During the interview, various topics were covered, where the chef shared insights into her career, reflections on travel, culinary philosophy, and more.
Regarding travel, she recounted working for the resort company Sandals, which inspired her as it linked her desire to travel with her passion for cooking. Compton also expressed a preference for destinations she has never visited before in order to draw inspiration from different countries, experience new cultures, and explore new cuisines.
As for her career, Chef Compton started her culinary journey at Daniel Boulud’s restaurant in New York. She later moved to Miami, working at the Biltmore Hotel, then at Norman van Aken’s restaurant in Coral Gables, Florida, and later at Scarpetta in the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach. She met her husband while working at Casa Casuarina, Versace’s former residence in South Beach, Miami. Throughout her career, the chef participated in Top Chef and won a James Beard Award. Grateful for her experiences, Nina Compton attributed her success to her father, who taught her to focus on her goals, ignoring those around her, and doing what she loves.
Concerning her culinary philosophy, the chef emphasized the crucial role of ingredients, from seasonality to sourcing from farmers who care for the produce. She stated that the dishes she creates always represent a childhood story or a journey, highlighting mangoes as one of her favorite ingredients with over 300 varieties, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right variety.
Silver Nova Madrina
Today, the chef owns three restaurants in New Orleans, where the days are long, managed with the support of her husband and her ability to say “no” to more stressful requests, strategically planning restaurant openings.
Finally, Chef Compton offered valuable advice to travelers, urging them to open their minds when exploring, push beyond their comfort zones, venture off the beaten path, and immerse themselves in destinations by preferring authentic local spots for meals rather than solely visiting resorts, thereby learning more about the location.
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