2022 sees the return of a Holland America Line favorite: Culinary Cruises with renowned chefs – all members of the line’s influential Culinary Council.

As I can attest, food is definitely a focus for every Holland America Line cruise, but Culinary Cruises take the gastronomic atmosphere up a notch higher with the presence of an elite chef on board.

During each "Culinary Cruise," guests will have the opportunity to attend cooking demonstrations led by the chefs and attend exclusive dinners on board. Depending on the chef’s specialty, the reservation-only dinners may be held at Rudi’s Sel de Mer French seafood brasserie, Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, or Nami Sushi.

In addition, during the five culinary cruises being held on Holland America Line ships during the remainder of the year, Culinary Council chef signature dishes will be highlighted on restaurant menus around the ship. And on one evening in the Dining Room on every cruise, a special menu will offer a collection of dishes from the Culinary Council members.

With the exception of the reservation-only dinners, Culinary Cruise events are complimentary, so all guests on board can enjoy the extra gastronomic ‘flavor’ of the special cruise.

The five Culinary Cruises take place on different ships on different North American itineraries, from Alaska, to Canada and the Atlantic Coast, the Mexican Riviera, and two different Caribbean itineraries. Each Culinary Cruise will be hosted by a different renowned chef, highlighting his specialty for delighted foodie guests, and each chef will be on board his Culinary Cruise for four to ten days.

Culinary Cruise Chefs in 2022 are:

Rudi Sodamin

As Holland America Line's master chef and Culinary Council chairman, Austrian-born Chef Sodamin (pictured, top) oversees all aspects of 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.

Ethan Stowell

Chef Stowell incorporates the flavors of the Pacific Northwest on a 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.

Jacques Torres

A French-trained master chef and artisan chocolatier, Chef 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.

David Burke

Chef 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."

Andy Matsuda

Japanese-born Chef Matsuda (pictured, top) 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.

By: Lynn Elmhirst Producer and Host, World's Greatest Cruises

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Images courtesy Holland America Line