Food lovers, get ready to sail on a culinary adventure with the Holland America Line! The company has extended its “Culinary Cruise” program into 2023, offering guests the opportunity to learn tips, tricks, and techniques from some of the world’s most celebrated chefs, all while exploring their shared passion for gastronomy.
The Culinary Council Chairman, Rudi Sodamin, is the creative culinary artist and master chef for Holland America Line. He is internationally recognized as a food authority and one of the most innovative chefs in the cruise industry. Sodamin is a member of the Academy Culinaire de France, Maîtres Cuisiners de France, and the Honorary Member Club des Chefs des Chefs. He has also published several cookbooks, including the best-selling “A Taste of Excellence,” “A Taste of Elegance,” and “A Taste of Celebration.”
On select voyages, guests will have the chance to learn from these celebrity chefs through live cooking demonstrations. Not only will they be able to bring home recipes from the presentations, but they can also chat with the chefs over coffee and enjoy an intimate, reservation-only dinner at Pinnacle Grill, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, or Nami Sushi, depending on the chef. Additionally, chef signature dishes will be highlighted on various restaurant menus throughout the cruise.
“We’re thrilled to bring back our Culinary Council members in 2023, offering our guests unique and memorable experiences,” said Michael Stendebach, Vice President of Food, Beverage, and Guest Services, Holland America Line. “Our Culinary Cruises have been a hit with guests who appreciate having access to these amazing chefs, and we hope they will always remember the experience of learning from a renowned chocolatier or the world’s foremost sushi master.”
The Holland America Line’s Culinary Council is made up of elite chefs from around the world, bringing a global influence to the dining experience across the fleet. In addition to their featured recipes, one evening on every cruise features a special menu in the Dining Room offering a collection of dishes from the Culinary Council members.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to embark on one of these culinary journeys with Holland America Line:
Ethan Stowell
- Koningsdam, 35-day Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas, Feb. 18 – March 25, 2023, roundtrip from San Diego, California.
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 an impressive roster of highly 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.
David Burke
- Eurodam, 20-day Panama Canal, April 9-29, 2023, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Seattle, Washington.
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.”
Jacques Torres
- Zaandam, 11-day The Atlantic Coast, April 18-29, 2023, from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
- In addition to the cooking demo, exclusive dinner and coffee chat, Torres will host Holland America Line’s famous Chocolate Surprise parade following dinner on one night of the cruise for all guests.
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 legendary 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.
Andy Matsuda
- Nieuw Amsterdam, 14-day Great Alaskan Explorer, May 7-21, 2023, roundtrip from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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. Matsuda is at the forefront of sushi trends and techniques.
Rudi Sodamin
- Nieuw Statendam, 14-Day Northern Isles, June 18 — July 2, 2023, roundtrip from Copenhagen, Denmark.
Austrian-born Sodamin oversees all aspects of Holland America Line’s award-winning shipboard dining. Rudi’s Sel de Mer is his namesake French seafood brasserie on board. His latest culinary masterpiece is an art table book called “Food Faces” that features more than 150 images of edible creations.
All events are complimentary excluding the specialty dinner. Each chef will be aboard their designated “Culinary Cruise” for four to 14 days.