Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has received a MIDAS (Menu Innovation and Development Awards) award in the Travel & Leisure category for its Italian menu, according to a company statement.

The award was presented on March 5 at the 2026 MIDAS Awards ceremony, held in Birmingham.

Corporate Executive Chef, Zoe Hayward, attended the ceremony on behalf of Fred. Olsen.

She joined the company in 2025, bringing more than three decades of culinary experience and a background in menu development.

“We’re incredibly proud to receive this award. It reflects the care we put into creating menus that offer our guests real variety, thoughtful flavors and the chance to discover something new on board,” said Hayward.

“The MIDAS Awards also provide an important forum for chefs and development teams to collaborate with suppliers, explore new products and develop fresh concepts that continue to enhance the food experience across our fleet.”

The award honors the cruise line’s new Italian menu within Colors & Tastes – one of the three rotating specialty dining menus introduced this year.

Inspired by regional flavors from across Italy, the menu brings together what Fred. Olsen describes as timeless seasonal dishes, designed to offer guests an authentic dining experience onboard.

The company said in a statement that this serves as a recognition of its excellence in menu innovation and development within the food and hospitality sector.

Caption: Zoe Hayward (second left) and Ben Cole (right) from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines with Jono Ranson from Dr. Oetker Professional