From the Black Sea to Queen Mary 2…
Catalin started working as a Chef during his school holidays at the age of 15 in a resort in the Black Sea, and then following his completion at school worked in bistros and restaurants in his home city of Constanta before heading to sea. In 2004 Catalin joined Cunard as Demi Chef de Cuisine on board Queen Mary 2, and progressed through the ranks to his current position which he attained in 2008.
Part of Catalin’s development was working alongside Executive Chefs Mark and Nicholas Oldroyd who gave him support and guidance showing him many different cooking techniques and styles to enhance and deliver a quality product. And he is very appreciative of this, and their continued support.
Galley Lead
Chef de Cuisine, Catalin, is currently the Galley Lead on board Queen Elizabeth, having joined in late September to complete his 14 day quarantine. As Galley Lead, Catalin is overseeing the food inventory management, menu compilation, as well as the food product preparation and delivery to all Officers and Crew including all those in precautionary pre-joining quarantine. To achieve of all of this he is supported by an excellent team of Chefs and the Galley Manager.
Guests, Officers and Crew
Prior to the operational pause Catalin got assigned to the Grills Galley, where he oversaw the food product ensuring that exacting standards were met in both taste and presentation by his team of fifteen Cooks and Chefs.
He is always eager to produce some wide ranging national dishes of Romania, for both our Guests and currently our Officers and Crew billed as the ‘Chef’s Daily Special’. Catalin always seeks ways to improve and, when in service can be regularly seen in the Restaurants chatting with Guests in order to obtain feedback, just as he does now with the Officers and Crew on board Queen Elizabeth.
Here Catalin is checking dinner service for colleagues in precautionary pre-joining quarantine delivered by HR Manager Carola and Hotel Auditor Laurence:
Family on land and on board
Originally from Romania, Catalin currently lives in Znojmo in the Czech Republic with his wife and two children. During his leave he teaches his daughter to cook and bake, quite an achievement for a three year old! He also enjoys tending to his large garden growing his own vegetables and berries as well as having ample fruit trees which enables his family to be self sufficient for many months during the year, and of course he uses the items in his cooking.
Catalin has a passion working as part of the Cunard team as he considers many of his colleagues as his family and enjoys the atmosphere of people treating the ship as their second home.
Next week we will hear from the People Operations team
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