Grand Fromage joins the Food Heroes on board P&O's Brie-tannia, heading for Port Salut

P&O Cruises have added a big cheese to their brigade of Food Heroes on board Britannia. He is Charlie Turnbull, who runs a delicatessen in Shaftesbury, Dorset, and is described as an "international cheese judge and expert."

He will be advising P&O on the range of cheeses to be stocked in Britannia's Market Café at the heart of the ship's atrium, and in the fine-dining Epicurean restaurant.

Turnbull is also planning to travel several times a year to present cheese tastings and  to host cheese-related shore excursions.

He will be joining James Martin, Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar, "Cake Boy" Eric Lanlard and win expert Olly Smith who have all signed up to contribute to Britannia's food offerings.

Marketing Director Christopher Edgington is promising that the ship will have a real emphasis on authenticity. "Details such as cheese are no exception and in Charlie Turnbull we have a recognised master cheesemonger.

"The Market Café will be the social hub of the ship with an informal café style atmosphere. Whether it is patisserie from Eric Lanlard, a plate of British charcuterie or a tasting selection of artisan cheeses chosen by Charlie, paired with a local British beer, we will showcase the best of the best from the best."

Turnbull added: "I am very excited about choosing a team of the best British and European cheeses for Britannia ... the sailing ambassador of the best of British food.

"I am delighted to be the shepherd of her cheeses as she travels the world. I will also be taking advantage of ports of call in the Mediterranean to guest some local cheeses, as well as getting on shore and seeking out local specialities to compare with our own."

The Market Café will offer tasting notes for all the cheeses and suggestions to pair with wines and beers, while cheese will also be served in the Epicurean restaurant, high up on deck 16.

Britannia, currently being built in Italy, will join the P&O fleet next March. Carrying 3,600 passengers, it will be the biggest cruise ship built for the UK market.

One thing's for sure - passengers on Britannia will never be allowed to get cheese-bored.

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