Windstar Cruises and the James Beard Foundation, a prominent culinary organization, have extended their exclusive partnership through early 2021.
The relationship began in 2016 and grew in 2017 when Windstar was named the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, signifying the line's commitment to elevated epicurean experiences around the world.
The partnership resulted in a travel-culinary program in which acclaimed culinary experts share their knowledge and showcase recipes and experiences on Windstar's six ships.
Windstar has scheduled six culinary-themed sailings in 2018. They will feature a James Beard Foundation-selected chef and beverage expert who will host tastings and demonstrations, local menu items, wine-paired meals, culinary shore excursions, and local market tours with the chef.
"Windstar aims to be the leader in culinary offerings among small ship cruises worldwide," Windstar President John Delaney said.
The three-year partnership will allow Windstar to expand the breadth and diversity of culinary offerings with daily activities onboard, new dining menus, enhanced beverage selections, and foodie-focused opportunities ashore.
Every single cruise will feature culinary demonstrations of James Beard Award-winning chef recipes prepared by Windstar chefs, as well as signature recipes served nightly in AmphorA, the main dining room on each Windstar ship.
The James Beard chef dishes are specially notated on the menu, and no additional fee is charged for ordering these dishes. Plus, AmphorA menus are on a 14-day rotation.
The special Beard Foundation cruises are:
June 27, 2018: "Spanish Symphony" aboard Wind Surf with Chef Anthony Sasso of La Sirena in New York City and beverage expert
Ashley Santoro of The Standard, The Standard Café, and Narcissa, New York City.
Aug. 17, 2018: "Norwegian Splendors" aboard Star Breeze featuring Chef Evan Hanczor of Egg in Brooklyn, N.Y. The beverage expert for this cruise will be announced soon.
Nov. 26, 2018: "Tahiti & the Tuamotu Islands" aboard Wind Spirit with Pastry Chef Emily Luchetti of Marlowe, Park Tavern, and The Cavalier, San Francisco, Calif., and beverage expert Shelley Lindgren of A16 and SPQR in San Francisco.
Dec. 15, 2018: "Windward Islands Surf & Sunsets" aboard Star Pride with Chef José Mendin of Pubbelly Boys and Food Comma Hospitality Group (FCHG) restaurant groups in Miami and Puerto Rico. The beverage expert for this cruise will be announced soon.
Guest chef and beverage experts for the following Beard Foundation cruises will be announced soon: "Hidden Harbors of the Côte d'Azur" departing June 20, and "Gems of the Adriatic Sea" on Aug. 7, both aboard Wind Surf.
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