Seabourn’s cuisine is an integral part of our ultra-luxury experiences. When the finest quality ingredients come together with authentic regional flavors, it can be magical. For food lovers who want to deepen their culinary experience even further, a visit to a local market is a must.

So it’s no wonder that Seabourn’s complimentary Shopping with the Chef signature event in ports around the world generate so much excitement from our guests.

Shopping with the Chef brings the farm-to-table movement to the high seas. Go behind-the-scenes to shop alongside your ship’s world-class Executive Chef as they explore unique regional markets to seek out local produce, just-caught seafood, herbs, spices, cheeses and meats. You'll learn about and taste new and unexpected foods, while getting an insider's view into what goes into creating Seabourn's award-winning gourmet cuisine. Watch the chef work with local vendors to find the very best products, buy them in large quantities and plan our onboard menus. You’ll come away with an entirely new perspective on the meals you enjoy on board each day — and a new level of knowledge about how to choose the best ingredients for your own creations at home.

Seabourn’s expert chefs love helping guests discover the unforgettable delights of the world’s best markets. Here are some of their favorites.

The bustling marketplace in Kuşadası, Türkiye is ripe for culinary exploration. The chef will lead the way to the freshest fish and produce — and the sweetest treats, including the baklava of your dreams. Watch and learn as they show you how to shop for the best tuna, monkfish or sea bass, and fragrant Turkish spices.

Ajaccio, Corsica boasts an amazing marché (market) where you can sample the island’s famed charcuterie and cheeses, including Lonzu, a cured pork loin, and chèvre (try it with fig jam!) Learn how the chef chooses the very best local olive oil, tomatoes, and seafood for that night’s dinner.

One of the oldest indoor markets in Europe, the immense Mercato Centrale in Livorno, Italy will take your breath away. Our chefs will head right to the vendors featuring the finest tomatoes and green beans from the nearby countryside. The fish and seafood selection in this port city is also spectacular, with anchovies and snapper caught right near the market.

In Marseille, France, the Cours Julien farmers’ market offers you the chance to meet local producers selling a variety of organic and artisanal products, from fresh fruits and vegetables to delicious breads, pâtés, cheeses, small-batch jams and fresh pasta.

The buzzing Mercado dos Lavradores (“worker’s market”) in the city of Funchal in Madeira, Portugal, has been in operation since 1940. Here the chef will buy local fish including a deep-sea fish called espada, a traditional favorite in Madeira. The fruit of Madeira is also a star attraction of this market. If you have a passion for passionfruit, you will be in paradise here — with at least 10 different varieties, so be sure to sample a few.

In Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, the Mercado del Puerto is a magnet for foodies, and a treat for the senses. Inside this stunning iron building, you’ll smell cardamom and saffron, and see colorful fresh local fruit including pineapples and bananas and sample the local jamón or chorizo at the many tapas bars and cafes. You’ll encounter the area’s abundant local fish, including species you’ve probably never seen before, such as sama, vieja and cherne. The chef can also introduce you to almogrote, a unique Canary Island sauce or spread made from cheese, peppers garlic, olive oil.

Punta Arenas, Chile may be a small port, but its Mercado Centrale brings shoppers big flavors from the sea. On the first floor of the market, you’ll find 13 fishmongers, plus produce stands and flower shops. The chef will buy the best fish and seafood from the local waters, including stellar king crab. On two upper floors you can explore local crafts and a food court with a panoramic view.

Get ready to meet some new fish at the Fiera da Manaus Moderna in Manaus, Brazil, 1,000 miles upriver from the Atlantic. This market, chock full of atmosphere, is the place to go for an incredible array of Amazon River fish, including tambaqui, jaraqui, peacock bass and two-metre long pirarucu fish. Your chef will explain the differences between the species as they decide what to buy. You can also sample unique fruits and juices or buy some uarini manioc flour to take home.

Marché Papeete in Papeete, Tahiti is a dream for lovers of colorful tropical fruits and vegetables, featuring an abundance of jackfruit, vanilla beans, taro root, bananas, mango and pineapple and much more. As the chef loads up on produce, you’ll definitely want to try some samples. Market vendors also sell a mind-boggling variety of fish including ature, parrot fish, blue tuna, red mullet and moonfish. In certain seasons, you can also find goat fish or porori (pearl oyster muscle).

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam has what might be our guests’ favorite market, and it’s easy to see why. The vibrant culture and food of Vietnam is on full display at the city’s Bến Thành Market. Culinary explorers will delight in the ingredients the chef chooses, from fragrant herbs like mint and cilantro to fresh live fish, blue shrimp and soft shell crabs to unique fruits including longan, custard apples and local baby bananas. Your chef knows the best stalls to hit, and you’ll enjoy talking to the local vendors about how to cook their unique offerings.

Seabourn’s Shopping with the Chef is always a unique culinary adventure, whether you’re at a port in Europe, South America, Asia, the South Pacific and more. Explore the world in ultra-luxury with Seabourn and savor one of our most beloved included experiences.