Chef's Table - Ever Not Been Selected

[CruiseNut24]

Just checking with others to see if you have ever signed up for the Chef's Table,  and was not selected to attend.  We are looking to try our first Chef's table, and would like to see what the odds are of being selected to attend.

 

Thanks for your time. 

[memoak]

We have always been included when we called the DINE line first thing after embarking

[railman]

We signed up two times, and enjoyed the dinner two times.

[candy4040]

Really enjoyed the Chef's Table.  Be sure you have closed toed shoes otherwise they won't let you do the kitchen tour.  Be prepared to be amazed.  

[wheezedr]

So far batting 100%.  Good luck.

[CC Rider 69]

Yes, but on another cruise line that owns PCL, never on Princess.

[gotta cruise again]

Our first try, back in 2010, we were not selected however, 2 people cancelled at the last minute and we were contacted and able to take their place.

 

In 2015, on the actual Princess 50th Anniversary Cruise (recreation of the very 1st Princess Cruise), we didn’t realize that a Chef’s Table was being held nearly every evening. Chef Alfredo was the primary host so this really would have been a great one to do. But once we found out about it, it was already booked up and with a long wait-list, I’m sure.

 

In 2017, a group of 6 of us successfully took part; we decided to do so via our Roll Call. Four of us were Elite so boarded very early and able to call the dine line as soon as it opened.

 

If ever on a Royal Class ship, the Winemakers Dinner ranks a close second to Chef’s Table, albeit without the galley portion. Great food and atmosphere.

[Colo Cruiser]

2 hours ago, CruiseNut24 said:

Just checking with others to see if you have ever signed up for the Chef's Table,  and was not selected to attend.  We are looking to try our first Chef's table, and would like to see what the odds are of being selected to attend.

 

Thanks for your time. 

There is no way to tell as every cruise/interest is different.

Some cruises they hold more than 1 CT........sometimes none..

Sometimes they have overwhelming signups and sometimes they have to cancel a CT because they did not get the required 12 people signed up for one.

 

It's a must do at least once.

[Dani24]

We've requested it twice, and gotten it both times. On both occasions, we called the DINE line immediately after getting into our stateroom. We are only Ruby level currently, and we were staying in Balcony or Oceanview -- so no special boarding privileges. And we'd usually hit lunch in the dining room before going into our stateroom. I'd guess we didn't actually call until around 1:30 ish.  

That said, as another person mentioned, you'll need close-toed shoes to participate. They also can't accommodate food allergies or special dietary preferences, so if that's a deal breaker for you it will be for them too.

Otherwise, I believe they need 10-12 people per table, so if they don't have enough to fill a table they may have to reject some folks. 

[Lanwood]

31 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

There is no way to tell as every cruise/interest is different.

Some cruises they hold more than 1 CT........sometimes none..

Sometimes they have overwhelming signups and sometimes they have to cancel a CT because they did not get the required 12 people signed up for one.

 

It's a must do at least once.

The only time we were declined our reservation request was due to lack of interest.

 

It was Princesses inaugural cruise from Japan on the Diamond just after her major refit to suit the local market.  The maitre'D found us at breakfast in the dining room and appoligised and told us the situation personally (surprised he knew who we were). Only 3 people on board had signed up.

Edited January 23, 2019 by Lanwood

[2theship]

We tried three times. The first was a transatlantic with a lot of Elites on board and a very active roll call where Chef's Table had been discussed extensively. As Platinum members, we boarded later and simply could not sign up early enough. The next two times were both 7-day Southern Caribbean cruises that had far fewer frequent cruisers on board and we got Chef's Table both times. On the second one, Chef Alfredo happened to be on board and ever since then, I've used our photo with him as my avatar. They were both great experiences but Alfredo made the second one extra special. It was great fun to watch the ship's head chef jump at Alfredo's commands.

[reedprincess]

We've tried on the last 6 cruises over the last year and a half... Have yet to be selected. And yes, we're aboard early, call the DINE line straightaway, have spoken to the maitre'd in person - and somehow, never been chosen. No food allergies or restrictions, nada.. 

Go figure.  Not sure what the magic scenario is, but we haven't found it yet!

[suzyed]

We have always been chosen when we requested it!

[Grburkart]

I’m new to the cruising world so tell me more of this event, please. 

I gather by reading the previous posts that there is a tour involved. Do we dine with the chef? And are there other differences in menu choices? Lots of questions. 

I suppose another question would be what’s the significance of the event?

 

Glenn

[Colo Cruiser]

2 minutes ago, Grburkart said:

I’m new to the cruising world so tell me more of this event, please. 

I gather by reading the previous posts that there is a tour involved. Do we dine with the chef? And are there other differences in menu choices? Lots of questions. 

I suppose another question would be what’s the significance of the event?

 

Glenn

CHEF'S TABLE

The Chef’s Table is designed as a special treat for dining enthusiasts, and offers the rare opportunity to be welcomed into the inner sanctum of the ship's galley to enjoy a full evening of memorable sights, tastes and conversation hosted by the executive chef.

While many passengers are able to enjoy galley tours during the quiet off-hours, the Chef's Table experience takes interested diners behind the scenes during the height of dinner preparation where they'll also enjoy Champagne and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a special multi-course tasting dinner paired with selected wines in the dining room.

The Chef's Table begins when the Maitre d' personally escorts the passengers to the galley where they can observe the bustle of dinner-hour preparations and meet the executive chef, plus enjoy Champagne with appetizers. The chef previews the details of the menu he created for that evening, and the group is welcomed to their special table in the dining room.

The multi-course menu is specially created by the chef, and is not offered anywhere else on the ship. The fare might include anything from a focus on regional cuisine to a showcase of indigenous ingredients from a recent port. Each course is accompanied by a detailed explanation of special features, preparation methods, and tasting suggestions. Specially selected wines complement the meal. During the dessert course, the chef rejoins the group at their private table to participate in a discussion about the evening's meal, answer questions, and share culinary secrets perfected during many years of experience at sea and on land.

Additionally, each couple at the Chef's Table will receive a personalized, autographed copy of Princess' best-selling cookbook, Courses, A Culinary Journey, which has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and is available on amazon.com. Passengers will also enjoy a complimentary photo taken at the private table with the chef.

The Chef's Table* experience can be reserved by up to 10 passengers per night, at an additional cost. Reservations are made onboard through the ship's DINE telephone line or in person at the dining reservations table set up on the first day of the cruise.

*Not available on Sun and Sea Princess while in Australia.

 

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/specialty-restaurants/chefs-table-info.html

[Grburkart]

4 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

CHEF'S TABLE

The Chef’s Table is designed as a special treat for dining enthusiasts, and offers the rare opportunity to be welcomed into the inner sanctum of the ship's galley to enjoy a full evening of memorable sights, tastes and conversation hosted by the executive chef.

While many passengers are able to enjoy galley tours during the quiet off-hours, the Chef's Table experience takes interested diners behind the scenes during the height of dinner preparation where they'll also enjoy Champagne and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a special multi-course tasting dinner paired with selected wines in the dining room.

The Chef's Table begins when the Maitre d' personally escorts the passengers to the galley where they can observe the bustle of dinner-hour preparations and meet the executive chef, plus enjoy Champagne with appetizers. The chef previews the details of the menu he created for that evening, and the group is welcomed to their special table in the dining room.

The multi-course menu is specially created by the chef, and is not offered anywhere else on the ship. The fare might include anything from a focus on regional cuisine to a showcase of indigenous ingredients from a recent port. Each course is accompanied by a detailed explanation of special features, preparation methods, and tasting suggestions. Specially selected wines complement the meal. During the dessert course, the chef rejoins the group at their private table to participate in a discussion about the evening's meal, answer questions, and share culinary secrets perfected during many years of experience at sea and on land.

Additionally, each couple at the Chef's Table will receive a personalized, autographed copy of Princess' best-selling cookbook, Courses, A Culinary Journey, which has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and is available on amazon.com. Passengers will also enjoy a complimentary photo taken at the private table with the chef.

The Chef's Table* experience can be reserved by up to 10 passengers per night, at an additional cost. Reservations are made onboard through the ship's DINE telephone line or in person at the dining reservations table set up on the first day of the cruise.

*Not available on Sun and Sea Princess while in Australia.

 

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/specialty-restaurants/chefs-table-info.html

Wow! Thank you for the info. Another thing for my to do list!

 

Glenn

[Colo Cruiser]

3 minutes ago, Grburkart said:

Wow! Thank you for the info. Another thing for my to do list!

 

Glenn

Its a must do at least once!! Approx $100 PP.

Royal/Regal/Majestic a tad more at $115 pp. (called the Chefs Table Luminaire on those ships)

[abqmommyof4]

Yes, because of a good allergy to tomatoes

[Bemidji Ty]

Tried to sign up on last 2 cruises and didn't make it.  We went to SHARE instead and loved it.

 

Cheers

[kjm62]

I have been successful 2 out of three times on the Chef's dinner.  Last spring on the Royal we didn't make the cut, we were somewhat surprised we didn't get it.

[trvlwrld]

4 hours ago, reedprincess said:

We've tried on the last 6 cruises over the last year and a half... Have yet to be selected. And yes, we're aboard early, call the DINE line straightaway, have spoken to the maitre'd in person - and somehow, never been chosen. No food allergies or restrictions, nada.. 

Go figure.  Not sure what the magic scenario is, but we haven't found it yet!

call the dine line and then go talk to the maitre’d in person and mention that you have been very unlucky in the past and specifically ask if you should be doing something differently to be chosen...(be  sure to be polite and not accusitory) that happened to us also and our invitation almost beat us back to our stateroom!  

[neverbeenhere]

I have never heard of the Table as something for which you are accepted or rejected. Now, you can be dumped from an early signup because certain people aboard want to go, but that is not being rejected. Brad Pitt wanted to go, so you don’t get to go. 

[neverbeenhere]

3 hours ago, Grburkart said:

Wow! Thank you for the info. Another thing for my to do list!

 

Glenn

 

By no means is it a requirement, but you would be well served to attempt to locate a dining partner, if you are sailing solo. 

[Grburkart]

6 minutes ago, neverbeenhere said:

 

By no means is it a requirement, but you would be well served to attempt to locate a dining partner, if you are sailing solo. 

Easier said than done. Lol. 

 

Glenn

[neverbeenhere]

27 minutes ago, Grburkart said:

Easier said than done. Lol. 

 

Glenn

Converse with the rollcall for your cruise. There maybe a single who would go or someone like me that would go anytime as the one time my wife went, she hardly ate anything. (Very picky eater)