L'École des Chefs?

Considering a cruise where this feature is offered! If you have attended this, what was your opinion of it? Where was it held? Did you get to participate? Did a meal accompany the presentations? Was there an extra charge? Were presentations offered daily? Appreciate any information and personal opinion.

We were fortunate enough to be an Ecole des Chefs cruise from Tokyo to Shanghai. There are more cookery demonstrations (fun), wine tastings, martini making classes, knife skills classes, appetiser cooking classes etc than on a regular cruise. As far as I recall there may have been a charge to taste the top wines, but otherwise all of this was included. Some are hands-on, others are just watching. All are worth attending. For me the best bit was accompanying the chef (we were lucky to have David Bilsland) to the fish market in Busan, S Korea. A fascinating trip but not for the squeamish! Sign up for everything. You will really enjoy it.

Sign up quickly!

We were fortunate enough to be an Ecole des Chefs cruise from Tokyo to Shanghai. There are more cookery demonstrations (fun), wine tastings, martini making classes, knife skills classes, appetiser cooking classes etc than on a regular cruise. As far as I recall there may have been a charge to taste the top wines, but otherwise all of this was included. Some are hands-on, others are just watching. All are worth attending. For me the best bit was accompanying the chef (we were lucky to have David Bilsland) to the fish market in Busan, S Korea. A fascinating trip but not for the squeamish! Sign up for everything. You will really enjoy it.

We have one coming up, May seventh on the Silver Explorer. I noticed they have a day to day itinerary “voyage highlights” online you can read. It describes a lot of the special food and wine events that might satisfy your curiosity. If not I will try to post something when we get back.

We were fortunate enough to be an Ecole des Chefs cruise from Tokyo to Shanghai. There are more cookery demonstrations (fun), wine tastings, martini making classes, knife skills classes, appetiser cooking classes etc than on a regular cruise. As far as I recall there may have been a charge to taste the top wines, but otherwise all of this was included. Some are hands-on, others are just watching. All are worth attending. For me the best bit was accompanying the chef (we were lucky to have David Bilsland) to the fish market in Busan, S Korea. A fascinating trip but not for the squeamish! Sign up for everything. You will really enjoy it.

Sign up quickly!

Thank you for the recommendations! We just might sign up for it.

We have one coming up, May seventh on the Silver Explorer. I noticed they have a day to day itinerary “voyage highlights” online you can read. It describes a lot of the special food and wine events that might satisfy your curiosity. If not I will try to post something when we get back.

Just checked out your voyage, #7509. What a fabulous itinerary! Are you planning on getting the unlimited internet package? I did that and posted many pictures on a social media site last December when we sailed on the SS Whisper. I will keep my subscription to this thread open in case you are able to communicate with me later. Thank you :D

Just checked out your voyage, #7509. What a fabulous itinerary! Are you planning on getting the unlimited internet package? Thank you :D

Yes on the unlimited internet. I will set up a hot spot in our room and then will be able to connect two devices at the same time.

Yes on the unlimited internet. I will set up a hot spot in our room and then will be able to connect two devices at the same time.

Wonderful! I will love to see the pictures and comments.

We did the Silver Explorer two years ago Portugal to England. We had the following specialists on board:

Cheese Monger - Had different cheeses at every port, all local.

Wine Specialists from Tuscany - Had wines from local area every day

President of Carneros Sparking Wine

A food author that was friends with Julia Child

David AND Rudy performing cook-offs - Also David's wife joined the cruise mid way

A WWII historical author

A medieval history author.

No charges for any of the extras. Went with the chefs every morning if you wanted to. They would even let you pick something you saw interesting.

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

We did the Silver Explorer two years ago Portugal to England. We had the following specialists on board:

 

Cheese Monger - Had different cheeses at every port, all local.

Wine Specialists from Tuscany - Had wines from local area every day

President of Carneros Sparking Wine

A food author that was friends with Julia Child

David AND Rudy performing cook-offs - Also David's wife joined the cruise mid way

A WWII historical author

A medieval history author.

 

No charges for any of the extras. Went with the chefs every morning if you wanted to. They would even let you pick something you saw interesting.

 

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Sounds wonderful and looking forward to this year's sailing. But one question- why did they have Tuscany wine specialists? Odd given that they were going to France, Spain, and Portugal. I would have expected someone from Bordeaux, perhaps.

Let me rephrase that question, Your Honor, the gentleman was from Tuscany. He was a wine generalist. He was actually born in Paris to an American father and French mother and is now married to an Italian lady.