Windstar Cruises has been named the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation and sponsor of the organization’s 2017 JBF Awards, Taste America events, Chefs & Champagne summer tasting party and Celebrity Chef Tour. For cruise guests, this means access to JBF-endorsed cuisine, recipes and culinary demonstrations on every sailing, plus the opportunity to sail on an epicurean voyage to France, Spain and Portugal with James Beard Award-winning chef and cookbook author Hugh Acheson.
“Our partnership as the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation solidifies our goal to support culinary excellence and innovation, and be the world’s best small ship cruise line in everything that we do,” said Windstar president John Delaney in press materials. “We’re thrilled to offer our guests exclusive access to the Foundation’s diverse roster of award-winning chefs and cross-cultural culinary leaders who will help chart a course for extraordinary new menu offerings and dining experiences featured daily across our fleet wherever we sail in the world.”
In addition to offering a series of Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, Central America, and Tahiti cruises throughout 2017 that feature James Beard award winners and nominees, Windstar will also host a special food and wine themed cruise aboard the 212-passenger, all-suite Star Legend yacht hosted by chef, restaurateur, and author Hugh Acheson. Departing Aug. 15, the 10-day James Beard Foundation Epicurean Explorations of France, Spain, and Portugal itinerary features cooking demonstrations, where chef Acheson whips up dishes using local proteins and produce purchased at the market; wine tastings; and wine pairings at dinner with varietals poured by sommelier Steven Grubbs.
On shore, guests can embrace their love for wine and culture with an overnight stay in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bordeaux, France and a scenic cruise up and down the Garonne River past the chateaus and vineyards of the Medoc region. The cruise also includes a complimentary evening on the grounds of a private chateau in Bordeaux with the opportunity to wander through their cellars. Ample French appetizers (like plump local oysters) and fine local wines are accompanied by the music of a string quartet. Rates start at $4,199 pp.
Every sailing will include interactive culinary demonstrations by Windstar chefs who prepare James Beard Award-winning chef recipes during days at sea, as well as the availability to taste James Beard Foundation signature recipes each night aboard all Windstar sailings beginning this summer. For more information, call (877) 958-7718 or visit windstarcruises.com.
