Windstar Cruises Unveils 2027 James Beard Foundation Chef Sailings

Windstar Cruises is bringing five James Beard Foundation-recognized chefs aboard its small ships in 2027, with each chef hosting a sailing connected to the destinations and culinary traditions that have influenced their cooking.

The 2027 James Beard Foundation Chef Sailings will span three continents, with itineraries through the Greek Isles, French Polynesia, the Eastern Mediterranean, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

The chef-hosted voyages are part of a broader partnership between Windstar and the James Beard Foundation. Over the past 11 years, more than 40 chefs selected in partnership with the foundation have sailed with Windstar, while 31 have contributed dishes to the cruise line’s Amphora menus.

James Beard Foundation chef-created recipes are also available across Windstar’s fleet on sailings without a visiting chef. For example, the March 14-22, 2027, “Treasures of Southern Spain & Morocco” sailing aboard Wind Spirit will feature destination-inspired menus highlighting the flavors of Spain and Morocco.

“We’re grateful to Windstar Cruises for their longstanding support of the James Beard Foundation,” says Clare Reichenbach, chief executive officer of the James Beard Foundation. “This partnership brings something new and exciting to each cruise experience, connecting travelers with leading chefs and emerging talent in the culinary arts.”

Each chef-hosted sailing will include exclusive dinners with paired wines, recipes created specifically for the itinerary, live cooking demonstrations and, on select voyages, market excursions with the visiting chef and Windstar’s resident executive chef.

The small-ship setting, with yachts carrying between 148 and 342 guests, is designed to provide a more intimate culinary experience.

“What matters most is how great food becomes part of the everyday Windstar experience,” says Stijn Creupelandt, Windstar Cruises’ chief operating officer. “These sailings give our guests a rare opportunity to spend time with remarkable chefs and discover the destinations we visit through their culinary perspective.”

The 2027 lineup includes:

Treasures of the Greek Isles — Roel Alcudia

July 13-20, 2027, aboard Wind Surf

Roel Alcudia, executive chef of House of Stefas in New York’s Hudson Valley, will host a sailing through Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, Monemvasia and Nafplio. Known for his “freestyle Greek” cooking, Alcudia draws on the flavors and traditions of the Aegean while adapting them for an American audience. He was part of the opening team at Stissing House, a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, and has cooked at Platform by JBF in New York City.

Māori Storytellers & French Polynesian Treasures — Felix Tai

September 5-16, 2027, aboard Star Breeze

Felix Tai, executive chef at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawai’i, will host a voyage through French Polynesia, with stops in Papeete, the Cook Islands and Bora Bora. Born in Malaysia, Tai has spent his career preserving and celebrating Pacific culinary traditions. He was a 2026 James Beard Foundation Legacy Program advisor.

Windstar Cruises' Star Legend (Photo Credit: Windstar Cruises)

Aegean Sea Odyssey via the Corinth Canal — Cara Tobin

September 8-16, 2027, aboard Star Legend

Cara Tobin, chef and co-owner of Honey Road and Grey Jay in Burlington, Vermont, will host a voyage from the Turkish coast to Istanbul. Tobin is a two-time James Beard Award nominee and three-time semifinalist whose cooking draws heavily on Eastern Mediterranean traditions. She has traveled extensively through Türkiye, Lebanon, Syria and Greece, including cooking alongside local women in their homes.

Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast — Cody Hogan

October 14-21, 2027, aboard Wind Surf

Cody Hogan, executive chef of Lidia’s Kansas City, will host a sailing from Athens to Rome. The itinerary includes Monemvasia and Gythion in Greece, followed by ports in Sicily and along the Amalfi Coast, including access to Taormina, Pompeii and Sorrento.

Hogan trained at Chez Panisse before joining Lidia Bastianich’s culinary team in 1998. He has worked alongside Bastianich in her restaurants, studio kitchen and on her Emmy Award-winning PBS series, as well as at events at the historic James Beard House.

East Asian Legends — Christine Lau

November 4-14, 2027, aboard Star Seeker

Christine Lau will host a voyage through Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Born in Hong Kong, Lau's cooking combines Chinese, Japanese and Italian influences. Her restaurant Kimika was named a 2022 James Beard Award semifinalist, and her work has also received recognition from The New York Times.

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