by Brian Major
Last updated: 10:00 PM ET, Tue September 20, 2016
PHOTO: Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford (left) with HAL cooking instructor Barbara Mills Schuchard and America's Test Kitchen host Julia Collin Davison. (Image by Brian Major).
Holland America Line is partnering with the long-running public television show America's Test Kitchen to offer onboard cooking demonstrations and hands-on classes to passengers aboard the cruise line's ships beginning in July.
The Culinary Arts Centers aboard Holland America Line ships will be renovated to mirror the television set where America's Test Kitchen shows are recorded for dynamic onboard demonstrations hosted by Holland America Line chefs trained by America's Test Kitchen culinary experts. Guests will be invited to watch shipboard cooking demonstrations and hands-on workshops on topics ranging from shaping Asian dumplings to making the perfect pie crust.
The displays will feature "foolproof and accessible" recipes and cooking techniques drawn from America's Test Kitchen's "rigorous testing and science-based approach" said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line's president.
"Holland America Line has the most complete and immersive culinary experience at sea and our strategy hinges on aligning with powerful partners and brands," Ashford said. "We wanted to partner with the best, most highly watched how-to-cook show on TV. America's Test Kitchen's commitment to delivering a quality culinary experience with a focus on learning is a perfect match," he said. "We are tremendously excited about this partnership."
The first America's Test Kitchen facility will launch aboard Holland America's Westerdam in October, officials said. In addition to the shipboard demonstrations, Holland America Line guests will experience 24-hour access to episodes of America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country television programs in their staterooms.
The 45-minute demonstrations will offer guests a combination of video content, live instruction, taste tests and recipe samples. Courses under development include "Asian Dumplings," "Cooking for Two," "We Love Chocolate," "Everything Salmon," "Getting to Know Chiles," "Flavors of the Mediterranean," "Meatless Monday Meals" and "New Italian Favorites."
The events will also include 90-minute workshops focused on teaching specific skills, including cake decorating and pasta-making. America's Test Kitchen demo courses and workshops will begin aboard Westerdam on Oct. 18 for the ship's Mexico season and aboard Nieuw Amsterdam on Nov. 13 for the ship's Caribbean season. The program is scheduled to roll out across the fleet by June.
"This is an incredible opportunity for fans of America's Test Kitchen and food lovers in general to immerse themselves in the Test Kitchen experience," said David Nussbaum, CEO of America's Test Kitchen. "The classes on board Holland America Line ships will feature our famous foolproof recipes designed to be repeated and enjoyed long after the voyage has ended."
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