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dakrewser
November 3rd, 2004, 08:01 PM
A press release moved on the wire this morning highlighting the new CA program. While it sounds sort of hokey to me (I'd rather have the Java Cafe back!), some people might be interested.
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Entertaining New Enrichment Program Focuses on Food and Wines, Bringing Exotic Destinations to Life

SEATTLE, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line announced today that it is continuing to enhance guests' onboard experience with the introduction of the groundbreaking Culinary Arts Program across its entire fleet of five-star ships. The new program integrates passengers' love for fine food and wine with an entertaining enrichment experience. Special gourmet presentations, demonstrations, tasting events and intimate cooking classes highlight cuisine that reflects the ship's itinerary or different special occasions. Holland America Line has long been famous for its innovative culinary concepts.

Working together with renowned Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, Holland America Line has developed a program to continue that tradition, allowing guests an interesting way to immerse themselves in the rich culture and unique traditions of the many fascinating ports of call that Holland America Line visits.

During every sailing Holland America Line's exceptional onboard culinary experts, lead the demonstrations, classes and tastings. Celebrity and guest regional chefs will participate on select cruises.

The new Culinary Arts Center is located in the Wajang Theatre or, on Vista-class ships, in the Queens Lounge. As the hub for these interactive gourmet experiences, the Culinary Arts Center features a state-of-the-art show kitchen outfitted with premier tools and equipment from industry leaders such as Wolf, Sub Zero and Kitchen Aid. Guests in the audience get an up-close view of the cooking action on large, plasma screens while broadcast capabilities provide all guests the opportunity to watch these events from the comfort of their staterooms. In addition to the onstage kitchen, each Culinary Arts Center will have portable cooking stations where groups of up to 16 guests can participate in hands-on classes.

"We have always been committed to bringing our fascinating destinations to life," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales, Holland America Line. "To support our commitment, we have developed a comprehensive program that uses our guest's passion for fine food and wines as a way to complement our rich itineraries and provide guests with yet another way to savor the unique destinations they visit."

Holland America Line guests can attend several different culinary demonstration events during each cruise. These free, one-hour demonstrations will feature innovative cooking techniques and specially designed recipes that reflect the itinerary or a special occasion. In addition, several different cooking classes are offered for those guests who prefer to get in on the cooking action. These private, interactive sessions are US$19 per person. Participants will also receive a 10 percent discount at the renowned Pinnacle Grill restaurant or complimentary admission to the select wine tasting events.

Highlighting the Culinary Arts Program are several Culinary Signature Cruises, bringing acclaimed celebrity and regional chefs on board to lead guests on a culinary adventure, including themed lectures, wine and liquor tastings, seminars and related shore excursions. Celebrity chefs will host a variety of demonstrations and classes per cruise.
In addition to these large-scale Culinary Signature Cruises, Holland America Line will partner with celebrated regional chefs. Each ship will feature a regional chef at least four times per year who will help provide guests with an authentic taste of the destinations they visit. For example, a Culinary cruise aboard the ms Ryndam in March features renowned chef, author and restaurateur, Richard Sandoval. Sandoval will lead demonstrations and classes inspired by the delicious cuisine from the interesting port cities visited during the 10-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera and Sea of Cortez. Born in Acapulco, this dynamic chef will share with guests how he's helped evolve Mexican cuisine through the recipes and fare served in his modern Mexican restaurants. Sandoval will also host an exclusive dinner in the Pinnacle Grill, featuring premier Mexican wines and tequilas.

The Culinary Arts Program will debut on the ms Ryndam in October during a cruise to the Mexican Riviera and will be rolled out to all ships in Holland America Line's five-star fleet by the end of 2006.
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-dave

JDee
November 3rd, 2004, 10:55 PM
Just recently, another announcement was made about more TV stations and movies would be available in your cabin. Now you see the reason why. The Wajang will most likely eliminate some (or all) the movies & popcorn. However, no real loss on the Vista Class Queen lounge movies since the movies there were not viewable anyway......

Nice going HAL......

gizmo
November 4th, 2004, 07:51 AM
Thanks for the press release.

I wonder if Richard Sandoval does a Mexcian Meatloaf ! :D

doone
November 4th, 2004, 07:58 AM
Thanks for that press release, I am very excited about this new Culinary Arts Program on the HAL ships. I just wish it was up and running on all ships, then I could take advantage of it on my two cruises in March. Well, I guess I'll just have to book another cruise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder if Emeril Lagasse will be on board anytime soon?????????? I love to watch him cook, and of course, he's from Massachusetts!!!

Wer2pats
November 4th, 2004, 10:02 AM
That may be for some folks but not for me. I do not go on a cruise to learn to cook. There are plenty of classes at home I can participate in.

Pat

doone
November 4th, 2004, 10:17 AM
Its an option Wer2pats. I have plenty of classes here at home as well, but just don't have to time to do them, so this will afford me the luxury.

cruznon
November 4th, 2004, 10:48 AM
I feel the same way, doone, I don't have the time for cooking classes and this would be a treat. Does anyone know when this program will be in place on the various ships? Or where we might research this?

sail7seas
November 4th, 2004, 10:58 AM
I wonder just 'how celebrity' the guest Chefs will be?


Are they talking about very well known types like Emeril and Bobby Flay or less renowned?

kruzkeen
November 4th, 2004, 11:07 AM
Just recently, another announcement was made about more TV stations and movies would be available in your cabin. Now you see the reason why. The Wajang will most likely eliminate some (or all) the movies & popcorn. However, no real loss on the Vista Class Queen lounge movies since the movies there were not viewable anyway......

Nice going HAL......
I am waiting to read reviews of those who have sailed on the Ryndam since the SOE changes last month. Have the movies been eliminated from the Wajang Theatre? I would hope that the cooking classes are only on in the mornings.

In the late afternoon, after having enought sun and if I am tired of reading and decline to play bingo, I like going to a movie.

Like many others, I did not like the idea of movies in the Queens Lounge on the Oosterdam.

Leslieswiger
November 4th, 2004, 11:11 AM
Movies will still be done in the Wajang theatre. Happy Sailings..Leslie Swiger:)

SHayesShip
November 4th, 2004, 11:19 AM
I like this idea. It is not like they are going to eliminate all the movies and have a culinary event every day throughout the day. This is a nice addition that I will definitely enjoy.
I personally only see 1 or 2 movies a week. This along with 1 or 2 culinary demonstrations will be great.
I thought this wiould be a free demonstration. I know when I was on The Z in April they had a free demonstration in the Explorer's Lounge and prepared those great crab cakes from the Pinnacle Grill.

Steve Hayes

sail7seas
November 4th, 2004, 11:49 AM
There will be free demonstrations. Pax will be able to watch...on plasma screens and I think transmitted to cabin tv's. The fee (about $19 pp I think) will be for participating in the cooking lessons. My understanding is that the kitchens will be built in such a way as to be removable when the Wajang is to be used for movies and then set in place when used for their purpose.

gizmo
November 4th, 2004, 12:22 PM
For those interested, you can go to Hal's web site to see some nice pictures of the Culinary Arts Center on the Ryndam.

The cooking area doesn't look movable in the pictures. In one picture you can see curtains on the sides. It looks like the curtains could be closed to hide the cooking area and a movie screen could be placed in front of it.

sail7seas
November 4th, 2004, 12:26 PM
Hotel Manager on Zuiderdam, during the Mariner's Party, told us the kitchens would be removed.....perhaps dropped into the floor??? when not in use.

There were about 900+ Mariners who were at the party and listening to HM's description of the SOE improvements includng the Culinary Arts.

gizmo
November 4th, 2004, 01:03 PM
Have you looked at the pictures?

The counter might be movable, but the cabinets and frig do not look like they are movable.

It would be hard to believe they would go to the expensive of dropping the entire thing underneath the floor but anything is possible. Maybe the entire thing moves backwards.

It actually looks much easier to pull the curtains and move in a movie screen.

doone
November 4th, 2004, 01:07 PM
I just looked a the pictures of the Ryndam and I can't see how its moveable either. I think maybe some of it can be pushed back and put behind the curtains. Who knows, like Gizmo said, anything is possible.

Leslieswiger
November 4th, 2004, 02:34 PM
From what I have been told, you are correct. They will use curtains. I am sure everything will be done in good taste. Happy Sailings..Leslie Swiger:)

sail7seas
November 4th, 2004, 03:15 PM
Just repeating what the HM on Zuiderdam informed about 900+ people at the Mariner's Party. :)

gizmo
November 4th, 2004, 04:02 PM
Leslie,
Thanks for the info.

RaffinOrganGrinders
November 4th, 2004, 04:13 PM
That is the cost of Bingo. If you don't like Bingo you can signup for the program.

George