Regina Charboneau becomes American Queen culinary ambassador

This was announced Thursday while she hosted a private biscuit-making class of Virtuoso Cruise Icons at her cooking school in Natchez, Mississippi.

The partnership will create regional culinary and encounter travel moments for the 2022 American Queen Voyages season.

'Unique culinary experiences are a cornerstone of encounter travel and anyone who has spent a few moments with Chef Regina at her cooking school, a culinary festival or been pulled into the kitchen to assist during one of her legendary dinner parties comes away with a memorable and inspiring moment,' according to Kari Tarnowski, SVP marketing and sales, American Queen Voyages.

Sharing the stories behind recipes

As culinary ambassador, Charboneau will share the stories behind recipes inspired by the many places the line sails from across North America. Her role will also include creating culinary experiences for passengers on board and ashore throughout the season, including special sailings featuring the chef and her culinary friends.

'I am so energized to partner with American Queen Voyages and share stories through cuisine, beyond just the Mississippi River, and North America’s great waterways of the Ohio and Columbia rivers, the Great Lakes and Alaska,' Charboneau said. 'This collaboration with American Queen Voyages will provide experiences that guests can enjoy as they prepare for their journey on board as well as upon their return to share with others.'

'Biscuit Queen of Natchez' and restaurateur

Charboneau is best known as the 'Biscuit Queen of Natchez' and for her San Francisco restaurants Regina’s at the Regis and Biscuits & Blues, the latter opening an outpost in her Mississippi hometown. She is also the author of 'Mississippi Currents: A Culinary Journey Down America’s Greatest River.' She made her professional culinary debut in Alaska and now looks forward to bringing her career full circle to North America’s last frontier.

Charboneau is sharing holiday recipes here.