Cruise operator MSC took the opportunity to showcase its top-tier cuisine in a quite different setting, at a Formula 1 race weekend.
Normally, when Formula 1 and ships find themselves in the same sentence, we're talking Monaco and we're talking billionaire super-yachts - but, this weekend the scene was Monza.
MSC Cruises brought a taste of its ships to the 2025 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, curating some of the signature dishes from its top cruise ship restaurants for an exclusive, trackside menu for the BWT Alpine Formula One Team.
Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto were treated to the trackside cuisine along with their pit crews, engineers and the F1 team's VIP guests.
The activation by MSC, a premium sponsor of the Alpine F1 team, was said to be the first time the cruise line has extended its culinary experience beyond its fleet of ships.
Chefs Luca Cesarini, Xiao Wang and Pasquale Puziello presented dishes drawn from the cruise line's speciality concepts including Eataly, Kaito Sushi & Teppanyaki, Chef’s Garden Kitchen, Hola! Tacos & Cantina, Butcher’s Cut, and Ocean Cay.
The menu included Hamachi and Ora King Salmon Sashimi with truffle teriyaki, along with Misoyaki Black Cod, Glazed Beef Short Rib, and desserts like Il Tiramisu and Mexican Flan.
MSC brought to Monza the same authentic gastronomic experience that cruise guests enjoy onboard, Franchini highlighted.
“Our fleet of 23 ships has over 72 specialty restaurants, across 16 different concepts, offering authentic gastronomic experiences inspired by cultures around the globe," said Stéphane Franchini, MSC Cruises senior director of food & beverage.
"We cater to every taste and temptation and invite guests to explore the world through their taste buds with a mix of traditional favorites and sumptuous new flavors.
"Bringing our experience to Monza allowed us to showcase our passion, precision and excellence in gastronomy to our partners.”
Luca Cesarini, meanwhile, commented: "It was a privilege to be in the middle of the action and serve a menu that helped fuel the BWT Alpine Formula One drivers ahead of their thrilling race.”
Guy Martin, Alpine’s global marketing director, meanwhile, described it as an 'unforgettable culinary journey'.
MSC began its relationship with BWT Alpine, as a premium sponsor, in February this year.
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What dishes did MSC serve at the Italian Grand Prix?
MSC Cruises served Kaito sashimi, Eataly burrata, misoyaki black cod, glazed beef short rib, crab cakes, tiramisu, and Mexican flan at Monza.
Which MSC chefs cooked for BWT Alpine at Monza 2025?
MSC Cruises chefs Luca Cesarini, Chef Xiao Wang, and Pasquale Puziello led the trackside menu for BWT Alpine at Monza 2025.
How is MSC connected to Alpine and Formula 1?
MSC Cruises became a Premium Partner of BWT Alpine in February 2025 and has been a Global Sponsor of Formula 1 since 2022.
