The program hand-picks acclaimed culinary experts to share their knowledge of world cuisines with travelers, and showcases exclusive recipes and experiences on sailings across six ships. The relationship began in 2016 and grew in 2017 into an exclusive partnership naming Windstar the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation.
On six culinary themed sailings yearly, a James Beard Foundation-selected chef and beverage expert present multiple culinary and beverage (wines and spirits) tastings and demonstrations, special and local menu items, wine-paired meals, culinary shore excursions and local market tours with the chef. The program is designed to ensure plenty of personal interaction with the culinary experts.
Every cruise provides culinary demonstrations of James Beard Award-winning chef recipes and beverages prepared by Windstar chefs, as well as featured James Beard Foundation Signature Recipes served nightly in AmphorA, the main dining room on each Windstar ship.
Each dinner menu presents recipes from a James Beard-recognized chef who has sailed with Windstar. Items link to the line’s global destinations and were developed for recent James Beard Foundation culinary-themed cruises with dishes from chefs such as Andy Ricker of Portland and New York’s Pok Pok fame serving Phla Plaa tuna (spicy yellow fin tuna salad) with Thai chilies, lime-coconut milk dressing and jasmine rice.
Other favorites include marinated grilled lamb rack with buttered new potatoes and preserved green and red tomatoes, developed by Paul Berglund of The Bachelor Farmer in Minneapolis, and pan-seared scallops with Thai green curry sauce and Asian mango slaw by restaurant powerhouse Jennifer Jasinski of Rioja, Bistro Vendome, Euclid Hall and Stoic & Genuine in Denver.
2018 James Beard Foundation culinary-themed cruises include 'Spanish Symphony,' June 27 aboard Wind Surf, featuring chef Anthony Sasso of La Sirena in New York City and beverage expert Ashley Santoro of The Standard, The Standard Café and Narcissa, also in New York.
In 2008, Sasso became one of the youngest chefs to be recognized by the Michelin Guide, obtaining his first of eight consecutive Michelin stars for Casa Mono in New York. He joined La Sirena in January 2017 as executive chef and is thrilled to return on this cruise to Spain's Costa Brava, where he worked at El Hogar Gallego.
Santoro has curated the wine list for some of New York’s finest eateries. The former wine director of Casa Mono and Bar Jamón was recently named the regional beverage director of the Standard Hotels.
'Norwegian Splendors,' Aug. 17 aboard Star Breeze, will host chef Evan Hanczor of Egg, a farm-to-table breakfast-focused restaurant in Brooklyn with an outpost in Tokyo and a farm in the Catskills. The accompanying beverage expert will be announced soon.
'Tahiti & the Tuamotu Islands,' Nov. 26 aboard Wind Spirit, features pastry chef Emily Luchetti of Marlowe, Park Tavern and The Cavalier in San Francisco, and beverage expert Shelley Lindgren of A16 and SPQR, also in San Francisco.
The 'Windward Islands Surf & Sunsets,' Dec. 15 aboard Star Pride, will carry chef José Mendin of Pubbelly Boys and FCHG restaurant groups, Miami and Puerto Rico. The accompanying beverage expert will be announced soon.
Guest chef and beverage experts also will be announced for 'Hidden Harbors of the Côte d’Azur, June 20, and 'Gems of the Adriatic Sea,' Aug. 7, both aboard Wind Surf.
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