Happy Thursday #CSIPlus Community! Welcome back to another Meet the Member Interview! Today we are joined by Thushaan Kunabalasingam, Director of Global Accounts at livecookintable®.
What do you do at your company and in what circumstances would I come to you for something?
“I lead Global Accounts for the Ocean Cruise, River Cruise and Yacht industry at livecookintable. I work closely with cruise lines, designers, consultants and hospitality operators to develop innovative front-of-house foodservice concepts. You would typically come to me if you’re planning a newbuild, refurbishment or looking for flexible live cooking, buffet or guest experience solutions that combine design, functionality and operational efficiency.”
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?
“The biggest misconception is that my role is just about selling products. In reality, it’s about helping customers develop the right hospitality concept. I work with cruise lines, designers and project teams from the early planning stages to create solutions that improve guest experience, operational efficiency and flexibility.”
Does your company have any upcoming projects that you can talk about?
“Yes, we’ve been involved in a number of exciting cruise projects over the past few years, supporting both newbuilds and refurbishment programs. It’s been rewarding to see the growing demand for modular live cooking and buffet concepts that improve guest experience while giving operators greater flexibility. We’re also continuing to develop new solutions that help shape the future of front-of-house dining.”
What has been your favourite project cruise to work on?
“One of my favourite projects has been working with Viking Cruises. Last year, we had the opportunity to supply 13 Viking vessels, which was a significant milestone for our team. It was especially rewarding because it wasn’t just about delivering equipment; it was about supporting Viking’s high standards for quality, functionality and guest experience across multiple ships. Seeing our modular live cooking solutions become part of their onboard operations made it one of the most memorable projects I’ve worked on.”
What behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
“I’d say persistence and curiosity. I enjoy learning about different operations, cultures and customer needs. That mindset helps me ask the right questions, build strong relationships and develop solutions that truly fit the customer’s business.”
Could you share the most significant obstacle you have faced in your career so far, particularly in cruise work? Or, have you ever encountered any problems in cruise work that required you to learn a new skillset?
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning how different the cruise industry is from other hospitality sectors. Cruise projects involve long planning cycles, multiple stakeholders, strict technical requirements and close coordination between operations, design, engineering and procurement. I quickly realized that success wasn’t just about understanding our products,it was about understanding how a cruise ship operates. That pushed me to develop a much broader technical knowledge, learn the industry’s regulations and standards, and become more consultative in my approach. Today, that’s one of the aspects of my job I enjoy the most.”
What inspired you to pursue this field of work?
“My first taste of the cruise industry came through working with livecookintable and seeing how our modular solutions could make a real difference on board. I was fascinated by how every square meter on a ship has a purpose, and how innovative hospitality concepts can improve both the guest experience and operational efficiency. That inspired me to specialize in the cruise sector.”
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
“One thing many people don’t know about me is that I enjoy connecting with people from different cultures. Working in the global cruise industry has allowed me to build relationships all over the world, and I genuinely enjoy learning from different perspectives. I also speak multiple languages, which helps me connect with customers on a more personal level.”
What are the most significant changes you have seen in the Cruise Interior sector since you started, and what emerging trends do you foresee shaping its future?
“One of the biggest changes I’ve seen is the shift from traditional buffet concepts to more interactive and experience-driven dining. Cruise lines are no longer just focused on serving food they’re creating memorable culinary experiences that become part of the overall guest journey.
At the same time, flexibility has become increasingly important. Operators are looking for modular solutions that can easily adapt to different venues, concepts and service styles while maximizing the use of onboard space.
Looking ahead, I believe we’ll continue to see a stronger focus on sustainability, energy-efficient technologies and multifunctional equipment. Digital integration and smart operational solutions will also play a bigger role, helping crews work more efficiently while maintaining a high level of guest service. Ultimately, the future of cruise interiors will be about creating spaces that are beautiful, adaptable and operationally intelligent.”
Do you have a fun-fact or piece of advice about your company/industry that you can share?
“One thing people are often surprised by is how much thought goes into every square metre on a cruise ship. Space is incredibly valuable, so every piece of equipment has to deliver maximum functionality, flexibility and efficiency. That’s why modular solutions have become such an important part of modern cruise design.”
Do you specialise in a particular type of product? What makes it different to competitors?
“Yes, we specialise in modular and mobile live cooking solutions for the hospitality and cruise industry. What sets us apart is our true modularity our equipment can be configured, exchanged and adapted to different service concepts using the same table platform. This gives operators the flexibility to transform a space from breakfast to lunch or dinner without replacing the entire setup. We combine functionality, design and operational efficiency in one integrated solution.”
If you could recommend only one of your products, what would it be?
“I would choose the Multitable because it’s perfectly suited for the cruise industry, where every square metre matters. Its modular design allows operators to quickly reconfigure foodservice areas for breakfast, lunch, dinner or special events without changing the entire setup. It combines efficiency, flexibility and premium design in one solution.”
What kind of questions do you ask before beginning a project, and which piece of information is of utmost value in planning a successful project?
“Before starting any project, I focus on understanding the customer’s operational goals rather than jumping straight to the equipment. I usually ask questions such as:
What kind of guest experience are you aiming to create?
Is this a newbuild or a refurbishment?
How will the space be used throughout the day?
What are the available space and utility constraints?
Who will operate the equipment, and what level of flexibility is required?
Are there any specific technical, safety or regulatory requirements?“
The most valuable piece of information is understanding the customer’s operational concept. Once you know how they want the space to function and what experience they want to deliver, you can design a solution that supports both the guest journey and the crew’s daily operations. In my experience, the best projects start with listening rather than selling.”
What role does sustainability play in your company? How do you incorporate environmentally friendly practices and materials?
“Sustainability is an important part of our philosophy. Rather than designing products with a limited lifecycle, we focus on modular solutions that can be adapted and upgraded as operational needs evolve. This extends the lifespan of our systems and reduces the need for complete replacements.
We also use high-quality, durable materials such as stainless steel and SCHOTT CERAN® glass-ceramic, which are built for long-term professional use. In addition, our induction technology is highly energy-efficient, transferring heat directly to the cookware and minimizing energy loss.
For us, sustainability isn’t just about the materials we use,it’s also about helping our customers make better use of space, reduce waste and invest in solutions that remain relevant for many years.”
What goals have you met so far in 2026? Or, what goals/milestones are you working to meet this year?
“2026 has been an exciting year so far. My main focus has been on expanding our presence in the global cruise industry by building relationships with both existing and new cruise lines. We’ve continued to support newbuild and refurbishment opportunities while strengthening long-term partnerships across the sector.
For the remainder of the year, my goal is to convert active opportunities into successful projects and further establish our modular hospitality solutions within the cruise industry. Building strong, long-term relationships with cruise operators remains my top priority.”
What do you enjoy most about working with the cruise industry?
“I believe the future of the cruise industry will be shaped by smarter, more flexible hospitality concepts. Guests will continue to expect unique and interactive dining experiences, while operators will focus on sustainability, efficiency and adaptability. Companies that embrace innovation and collaboration will help define the next generation of cruising, and I’m excited to be part of that journey.”
Thank you for a great interview Thushaan Kunabalasingam! We look forward to seeing you at upcoming #CSIPlus events soon.
