Holland America and Food & Wine magazine, two leaders in their respective fields, have teamed up to bring passengers onboard some of Holland America's ships a culinary cruise experience that's like nothing else at sea. With Food & Wine Magazine providing expert chefs, wine connoisseurs, and cookbook authors, Holland America will provide guests with a chance to watch and participate in demonstrations, learning secrets from the best in the business. It is an exciting feature that should impress people who are skilled in the kitchen, as well as those who don't know their flambe from their al a mode.
Experiencing amazing culinary treats on a Holland America cruise ship is nothing new for guests, however. Aboard every sailing, Holland America features special chefs from various and exotic ports of call. It's all part of the cruise line's Culinary Arts Center program, a member of Holland America's family of Signature of Excellence series. And of course, simply dining in one of the restaurants on a Holland America cruise ship and tasting the fruits of the chefs' labors is a culinary delight in itself for the passengers.
But what sets this new program apart is the gastronomical gurus and expertise that Food & Wine brings to the table. After all, with a circulation of nearly 1 million people, the trend-setting and ultra hip cooking magazine must be doing something right, as well as know a lot about the cooking industry. That fact is not only obvious when looking at the magazine's circulation, but also at the names of chefs who are proud to associate with it.
Some of the star names in the culinary arts who will be onboard Holland America ships include chefs such as Michelle Bernstein, co-host of The Food Network's "Melting Pot" and owner of Grand Aqua, a restaurant based out of Cancun, Mexico; the recipient of the Food & Wine Best New Chef honor in 2003, Neal Gallagher; and founder of the Renaissance, Range and Rustique restaurants, Charles Dale, whom many consider to be a "culinary prophet," taking cuisine in new and exciting directions.
Beginning in Fall, 2005, this Food & Wine program will allow guests to see demonstrations put on by these and other world renowned chefs, learning many culinary techniques and inside secrets in the process. Food & Wine will provide guests with recipes, wine tasting notes, and copies of their magazine to keep, as well. Also, there will be the possibility of book signings and even guided market tours in certain ports of call. And since Holland America's Culinary Arts Center is complete with large screen plasma TVs, a beautiful show kitchen, spacious seating, and a huge display counter, the experience will be rewarding in a way that only Holland America can offer. You'll return home from your cruise vacation to a kitchen that's no longer a battleground, but more of an oasis.
