Aqua Expeditions is expanding the culinary program aboard Aqua Mekong, naming Australian Chef Benjamin Cross as Consulting Chef for the luxury river ship’s Cambodia and Vietnam itineraries. Cross, who has served as Consulting Chef for Aqua Blu in East Indonesia since 2019, will now oversee culinary development for Aqua Mekong.
From East Indonesia to Cambodia and Vietnam
Cross began his career in Byron Bay before working in Sydney kitchens alongside Chef Janni Kyritsis at MG Garage. He later spent time at a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Spain before moving to Bali, where he held culinary leadership roles for more than a decade.
In 2018, he founded Brett Hospitality Group, focusing on local ingredients and wood-fire cooking. Since joining Aqua Expeditions, Cross has developed more than 160 recipes for Aqua Blu, drawing on the flavors and ingredients of the East Indonesian spice route.
His expanded role aboard Aqua Mekong will include menu development and refining culinary execution alongside the ship’s onboard team.
“Benjamin has been an integral part of the Aqua family for many years, and I have long admired the care, curiosity and creativity he brings to his work,” said Francesco Galli Zugaro, CEO and founder of Aqua Expeditions, in a press statement. “He has an intuitive understanding of the places we explore and a remarkable ability to translate that sense of place into an immersive dining experience for our guests. I can think of no one better to help guide this next chapter for Aqua Mekong.”
A Taste of Cambodia and Vietnam
For Cross, the next step will involve working directly with local producers, cooks and communities to explore the culinary traditions of Cambodia and Vietnam.
“For me, the most memorable dishes tell a story, and that story comes from spending time with the people who know a place best,” said Cross, in a press statement. “I’m looking forward to learning from local producers, cooks and communities, building on the strong foundations already in place aboard Aqua Mekong, and bringing the extraordinary flavors of Cambodia and Vietnam to the table for our guests.”
Guests will begin seeing Cross’s culinary enhancements aboard Aqua Mekong in late 2026. Aqua Expeditions also plans to introduce chef-hosted sailings with Cross in 2027, with additional details to come.
For more information, visit aquaexpeditions.com.
