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Chefs Table To Roll Out Fleetwide

Colo Cruiser

By Colo Cruiser,
in Princess Cruises

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Colo Cruiser

Colo Cruiser

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SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (January 2, 2007) - Princess' Chef's Table, the exclusive dining experience that debuted to rave reviews earlier this year aboard Emerald Princess, will now be introduced across the line's fleet.

 

Currently available on Emerald Princess, Crown Princess and Caribbean Princess, the Chef's Table is scheduled to debut aboard most vessels in the fleet in early 2008. The line's smaller ships, Tahitian Princess, Pacific Princess and Royal Princess are not part of the initial roll-out but are hoped to offer the program at a later date.

Designed as a unique treat for "foodies," Chef's Table experience offers a select group of gourmands 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 cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a special multi-course tasting dinner paired with selected wines in the dining room.

Participants in Emerald Princess' first season of Chef's Table evenings may have felt like dining room celebrities as other passengers stopped to snap pictures and admire the striking table set-up and unique menu selections.

"We knew many of our guests would enjoy this unusual close-up view of our culinary operations, but we were truly surprised by the tremendous interest - it's sold out every cruise," said Rai Caluori, Princess' executive vice president of fleet operations. "Hosting the Chef's Table requires an impressive level of dedication from our talented culinary team, but they've committed to offering it on rest of our fleet because we wanted to offer as many guests as possible the opportunity to enjoy this exclusive culinary experience."

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 French 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. Guests 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 a cost of $75 per person. 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. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com.

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mii

mii

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Now we will just have to wait to see when the other Princess ships will have this feature. I am on the Coral in May so hopefully they will have it. I would like to try it just once.

 

Marilyn

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rdsqrl

rdsqrl

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This is really exciting news, thanks so much for posting it for us! Wow, I really can't wait for my next cruise now -- I've been dying to try this. Crossing my fingers that the Dawn will have it by my sailing The only fly in the ointment is that requirement for closed-toe shoes: closed-toe shoes in the eveing on a warm weather cruise?? Oh well, thinking about that little fashion dilemma will help the time pass until I sail.

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friend of Eeyore

friend of Eeyore

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My DH is not a foodie, but I'd love to try this experience. I know someone said that they had seen singles at their table. What happens with the cookbook and picture as a single?? (Not that I'd actually need the cookbook - I've already bought one, signed by the Crown chef in 2006 - wonder if it's still the same chef??)

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ancldaca

ancldaca

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I was travelling solo but with my parents so it was 3 of us. They received a book and so did I. We took the picture with Chef Diffor together although I don't see any reason why they wouldn't take seperate pictures for solo cruisers.

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Globaliser

Globaliser

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The line's smaller ships ... are not part of the initial roll-out but are hoped to offer the program at a later date.

 

... offers a select group of gourmands ...

And following the successful roll out of Chef's Table on the ships, Princess Cruises' next innovation will be bringing Teacher's Desk to the press release writers in Santa Clarita.
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m steve

m steve

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On Dec.6 cruise, I called as soon as I boarded and was told that they were not doing it on that cruise. This seems to be a hit and miss program and I don't know how they decide so early not to do it. We were quite disappointed and read that they did this cancellation frequently on the Emerald.

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momoforthodoc

momoforthodoc

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no big surprise that they're not doing it and i wouldn't hold your breath waiting. with all the norovirus running rampant on these ships they will not allow a chef's table. we wanted to do it on our dec. 16 sailing on the emerald but it was a no go. if it happens again i would think they would put the passengers in space suits before marching them into the galley. don't think they're going to take any chances since they seem to be averaging hundreds of cases on the last sailing of the emerald. don't shoot the messenger :eek:

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jdm

jdm

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I did the Chef's Table on the Crown Princess last week (New Year's Cruise). It is definately worth the $75pp. Get on ship as early as possible and call for reservation immediately. We did that and still were told we were waitlisted. Found out two days before the event that we were cleared. Fun event.

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mii

mii

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jdm - you said that you called as soon as you got onto the ship? where do you call to set up a reservation?

 

Someone mentioned that you call from your stateroom by dialing DINE for reservations. Sorry, you do not dial you just push the button that says DINE

 

Marilyn

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tvaud

tvaud

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no big surprise that they're not doing it and i wouldn't hold your breath waiting. with all the norovirus running rampant on these ships they will not allow a chef's table. we wanted to do it on our dec. 16 sailing on the emerald but it was a no go. if it happens again i would think they would put the passengers in space suits before marching them into the galley. don't think they're going to take any chances since they seem to be averaging hundreds of cases on the last sailing of the emerald. don't shoot the messenger :eek:

 

If the norovirus breaks out, why don't they just cancel the galley part of the meal and hold that portion in the dining room. Seeing the galley is the one part of the Chef's table experience I wouldn't mind missing. I'm in it for the fabulous food and wine.:D

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