Crystal Announces Annual Culinary Cruises

Crystal Cruises’ announced more culinary stars for its 15th annual Wine & Food Experiences of Discovery series in 2011. For the June 13 North Cape cruise, guests will include 2011 Bocuse d’Or winner Rasmus Kofoed, 2003 Bocuse d’Or winner Charles Tjessem, Master of Wine Philip Goodband and U.S. Bartenders Guild President Dave Nepove.

The Aug 2 Western Europe/Mediterranean voyage will feature Michelin Star chef Alessandro Stratta, Gaia Gaja of the Gaja Italian wine estate and TV chef Jon Ashton. The Aug. 13 Alaska cruise will include JiRaffe Chef Raphael Lunetta and H. Joseph Ehrmann, Green Mixologist/2010 Bartender of the Year. The Oct. 1 Mediterranean voyage will feature Mark Bittman, author of “How to Cook Everything”; Master Chef André Soltner and Alexis Kahn, L’Ecôle French Culinary Institute wine director.

The Oct. 24 Mediterranean/Holy Land cruise will include Persian chef Azmin Ghahreman and Rajat Parr, wine director, all Michael Mina restaurants. The Dec. 11 Mexican Riviera voyage will feature Mezcal expert/mixologist Steve Olson.

In addition to hands-on instruction, sailings will variously feature chefs’ demos, wine tastings, pairing sessions, cocktail-making classes, “Iron Bar Chef” competitions, and/or sushi-making classes by Nobu-trained chefs from Crystal’s onboard Nobu Matsuhisa restaurants, Silk Road and The Sushi Bar. Guest chefs will also craft a five-course, signature dinner with Stratta and Gaja creating a $1,000 per person seven-course “Ultimate Vintage Room Experience.”

The cruises also offer epicurean exploration via shore-side Crystal Adventures featuring private wine tastings, cooking lessons, and regional food sampling with local experts.