Foodies and culinary novices alike who are ready for a gastronomic adventure can set sail on a Holland America Line "Culinary Cruise" this year with a member of the line's Culinary Council. During five 2022 sailings, the renowned chefs will share their expertise and gastronomic secrets with guests.
During each "Culinary Cruise," guests have the opportunity to attend cooking demonstrations led by the chefs, bring home recipes from each presentation and join an intimate reservation-only dinner at Pinnacle Grill, Rudi's Sel de Mer or Nami Sushi, depending on the chef. Culinary Council chef signature dishes will be highlighted when available on all restaurant menus during the cruises.
All events are complimentary with the exception of the specialty dinner. Each chef will be aboard their designated "Culinary Cruise" for four to ten days.
"It's not every day you learn a recipe directly from the famous chef who created it and hear their secrets to success in the kitchen. We have been eager to re-engage our talented Culinary Council chefs to come back on board and offer guests this exclusive level of access," said Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and guest services, Holland America Line.
2022 Culinary Cruises:
Ethan Stowell - Westerdam, 7-Day Alaskan Explorer, 11-18SEP 2022, roundtrip from Seattle, Washington.
Stowell incorporates the flavors of the Pacific Northwest on ships sailing in that region, using fresh, sustainably sourced Alaska seafood. His fare also is featured at New York Pizza and Lido Market across the fleet. Stowell is founder and CEO of ESR with a roster of acclaimed restaurants. He was named one of the Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine magazine and one of the Best New Chef All-Stars.
Jacques Torres - Zaandam, 9-Day The Atlantic Coast, 01-10OCT 2022, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
A French-trained master chef and artisan chocolatier, Torres guides chocolate desserts as well as the Chocolate Surprise Dessert Parade on board. After rising to executive pastry chef at New York's Le Cirque, he opened a chocolate factory and retail stores throughout New York. The James Beard Award winner is co-host and head judge on the Netflix culinary show "Nailed It" with Nicole Byer.
Rudi Sodamin - Koningsdam, 7-Day Mexican Riviera, 12-19NOV 2022, roundtrip from San Diego, California.
As Holland America Line's master chef and Culinary Council chairman, Austrian-born Sodamin oversees all aspects of shipboard dining. Rudi's Sel de Mer is his namesake French seafood brasserie on board. His latest culinary work is an art table book called "Food Faces" that features more than 150 images of edible creations.
David Burke - Nieuw Amsterdam, 7-Day Eastern Caribbean, 04-11DEC 2022, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.
Burke enhances the menu at Pinnacle Grill, adding contemporary flavors and signature recipes. He recently opened five new restaurants, including Orchard Park by David Burke. During the pandemic, Burke's #FeedtheHeroes program cooked and delivered 100,000 meals to frontline workers and charities. He has been featured on "Iron Chef America" and "Top Chef Masters."
Andy Matsuda - Nieuw Statendam, 10-Day Southern Caribbean Seafarer, 17-27DEC 2022, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.
The Japanese-born Matsuda leads the sushi offerings at Nami Sushi, Tamarind and Lido Market. At Matsuda's Sushi Chef Institute in Los Angeles, California, he teaches aspiring chefs and professionals about sushi and Japanese cuisine.
For more information, visit Holland America Line's web site.
