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In one of the odder news releases we have seen recently, Celebrity Cruises announced Jan. 5th that it plans to "evolve" the cuisine on its cruise ships by ending its 15-year affiliation with Master Chef Michel Roux.

Just how Celebrity, which has partnered with Roux since 1989, intends to "evolve" the culinary direction of restaurants on its cruise ships was far from clear.

"Chef Roux has offered valuable culinary consultation and
direction since the Celebrity brand was founded," said Celebrity President Dan Hanrahan.

"We are very grateful to Chef Roux for the foundation he helped us establish, and are confident in our ability to continue to deliver an extraordinary dining experience for our guests across the fleet," Hanrahan added.

Ironically, Celebrity was the first major cruise line to team with a celebrity chef -- Carnival teams with French master chef Georges Blanc and Cunard's Queen Mary has a restaurant branded by Todd English -- but the announcement offers no indication Roux is about to be replaced by another star.

"Every Celebrity ship has a highly experienced Food and
Beverage team, headed by executive chefs and food and beverage managers who honed their skills in some of Europe's finest restaurants and hotels," said Hanrahan.

"They completed intensive training led by Chef Roux both during Chef Roux's onboard visits totaling well over 100 during the 15-year partnership and also, in the case of a few of Celebrity's most promising chefs, training at his Waterside Inn restaurant in England.

"Chef Roux has offered, and we have accepted, to assist Celebrity during the transition, and will be available in the future to offer advice and guidance," said Hanrahan. "Meanwhile, on behalf of all of us at Celebrity, I thank him for all his contributions, and wish him the very best."