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Australian-born chef to oversee dining in Aqua Blu

Chef for AquaBlu
Benjamin Cross will serve the flavours of the spice trade route
Benjamin Cross, who was born in Australia and has lived in Bali since 2008, has been appointed consulting chef for Aqua Blu, on the eve of the launch of Aqua Expeditions’ new Indonesian programme which commences November 16.

Aqua Expeditions began cruising the Peruvian Amazon in 2007 and expanded to the Mekong River in 2014.

Brig sloop converted

As previously reported, it bought the former Royal Navy brig sloop HMS Beagle and, after an extensive refurbishment, has renamed it Aqua Blu for the new operation which will primarily offer seven-night cruises from three destinations in East Indonesia.

Three-Michelin-starred experience

Chef Cross has had extensive experience in his native Australia and in Spain where he worked in Santi Santamaria’s three-Michelin-starred Can Fabes.

‘Harnessing the abundant gifts from Indonesia’s land and seas, the goal of my concept is to orchestrate a refined rendition of flavours that have travelled through Indonesia’s fabled sea spice trade route,’ he said.

‘Aqua Expeditions regards authentic cuisine as central to the itinerary, which means that the dining experience on board won’t be just a menu, but a cohesive journey of discovery.’