Holland America Line’s Upcoming Culinary Cruises

Holland America Line’s Upcoming Culinary Cruises Celebrate Chefs and Recipes From Around the Country

From wine-country cuisine to the re-invented wholesome fare of early American taverns to Southern-influenced prime seafood, Holland America Line will open its on-board kitchens to over 70 guest chefs from around the country throughout its 2008 cruise season.

Guests can sample the culinary creations of such noted and soon to be noticed chefs as Cornelius Gallagher, former chef at Oceana (NY) and currently with Sonnier and Castle private events; Pichet Ong, chef at P*ong Restaurant; Bobby Stucky, master sommelier at Frasca Food and Wine; Eric Lee, executive chef at Simi Winery; Tenney Flynn, executive chef at GW Fins; Joel Antunes, chef of Joel Restaurant; Max McCalman, Artisinal Cheese; Susan Goss, owner and chef of the West Town Tavern in Chicago and dozens more. Augmenting the chefs will be a score of cookbook authors as well as wine and spirits experts including Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, authors of the “Ultimate” cookbook series, and master mixologists Christy Pope and Chad Solomon.

“In our third year of hosting guest chefs on board, we are reaching out to chefs and culinary experts all around the country,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs. “What better way to entertain our guests then with notable chefs and experts that reflect the variety of cultures and cuisine found here?”

Holland America Line launched its innovative culinary program in 2005 with the installation of state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Centers aboard each of its 13 premium cruise ships offering culinary demonstrations, tastings and hands-on cooking classes aboard every sailing. The line then took the concept further by partnering with Food & Wine magazine to provide guests on select Holland America Line cruises an opportunity to experience demonstrations and seminars conducted by culinary experts covered in the magazine such as 1999 “Best New Chef” winner James Mazzio, executive chef at Via in Denver, Colorado. Another rising star is Christopher Lee, executive chef of New York’s Gilt, selected as one of the ten “Best New Chefs” by Food & Wine Magazine for 2006 who is scheduled to sail aboard the ms Rotterdam in March.