Culinary Arts Center - Zuiderdam

[Djptcp]

DH and I sailed on the 12/16 Zuiderdam cruise and he took a cooking class. Thanks to those of you who suggested he register right away upon boarding the ship -- there were only 10 or 12 people who could register and DH was one of the lucky few. He loved the class and recommends it. They made Bruscheta, Mushroom Risotto, and Veal Chops. The chef gave the class lots of good cooking tips and they received an apron and the recipes. The big surprise at the end of the class was they were escorted to the Pinnacle Grill and served the same recipes -- not the ones they made, but dishes made by the kitchen staff! The whole class and lunch lasted over two hours. If you are interested in doing this, be sure to register at the front office as soon as you board or you may get closed out.

Holland America - 2004, 2006
Carnival - 1995, 1998, 2006, 2006
NCL - 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003
Royal Caribbean - 2002

[Krazy Kruizers]

Glad your husband enjoyed his cooking class.

Seems to be a mixed bag. I have heard that on some ships the class is only an hour long and the "cooks" didn't get to eat anything. While on other ships the classes ran from 2 - 3 hours and they were able to eat lunch.

[actdir]

Does anyone know if they offer the class on the Westerdam?
Will be cruising on 2/25/2007.
Thanks,
Mil

[sswitenki]

I remember a posting from someone saying it was stressful - They were separated into groups and handed a recipe and told to make it. Not all proper measures were there and no teaching! What was your class like? Before my husband read that review, he was anxious to go but now is not sure. Please describe your experience. Thanks,
Sue

[Frogs]

I remember a posting from someone saying it was stressful - They were separated into groups and handed a recipe and told to make it. Not all proper measures were there and no teaching! What was your class like? Before my husband read that review, he was anxious to go but now is not sure. Please describe your experience. Thanks,
Sue

My mom and I were in the same cooking class. We had a blast. We gathered around the cooking surface (plenty of room for all of us) and participated by either cutting the food or cooking the food. It was hands on and we all shared the process and had a chance to do something. In the end we got to taste what we cooked then went to the Pinnacle Grill to have the same lunch served to as as described earlier. We thought it was well worth the cost and the time we spent and would do it again in a heartbeat.

We learned some new tips and I have even gotten a chance to use what I have learned.

Blessings,

[Frogs]

I remember a posting from someone saying it was stressful - They were separated into groups and handed a recipe and told to make it. Not all proper measures were there and no teaching! What was your class like? Before my husband read that review, he was anxious to go but now is not sure. Please describe your experience. Thanks,
Sue

Double Post - SORRY!

[PHreuD69]

How much does this class cost and can you register for it ahead of time or do you have to wait until you are on board?

[CuriousJ]

Thanks for your post. I was unable to take a cooking class on Oosterdam as the 2 classes offered that week were booked up by the time we boarded. I was very disappointed, so I'm looking forward to taking the classes if they are offered on my April Zuiderdam cruise.

I am curious why HAL doesn't offer more of these classes? Obviously they put a lot of time/money into the Culinary Arts Center concept (just look at the space devoted to it on the HAL website alone) - why be so limited about when they offer it on board?!

[bruce-r]

How much does this class cost and can you register for it ahead of time or do you have to wait until you are on board?It cost $29 and I was also on the same cruise as the OP and did the cooking thing. I thought it was well worth the $29. You can only make reservations on the ship. I had one of the fabulous ladies in the Neptune lounge make the reservation for me. There were only 6 spaces left at about 3:00 PM, so you really do need to make it the first thing you do when you get on the ship if you want to cook.