Good news for foodies: Small luxury line Windstar Cruises is teaming up with the James Beard Foundation (their awards are the equivalent of the Oscars in the food industry) to offer culinary-focused cruises on three sailings to Spain, Morocco, and France this spring and summer.
Four different James Beard-recognized chefs will sail along with passengers for the three cruises. While on board, they'll serve up a special dish each night, offer cooking demonstrations, and lead guests on market excursions to help select local ingredients. The cruises, listed below, will call in some of Europe's most iconic wine and culinary regions, giving the chefs an abundance of local bounty to incorporate into their creations.
Culinary Cruise of Spain and Morocco
The chef: Michel Nischan
Known for his commitment to sustainability, Nischan is the founder and CEO of Wholesome Wave and a three-time JBF Award winner.
The sailing: Wind Surf will embark on an eight-day trip through southern Spain and Morocco, hitting major culinary hotspots including Lisbon, Barcelona, and Tangier.
Departs: April 24, 2016
Culinary Cruise of Spain and France
The chef: Maria Hines
A former winner of the James Beard Award for “Best Chef in the Northwest,” Hines is the owner and executive chef of Tilth and founder of Seattle Tilth, an organization that offers classes on sustainable gardening for adults and children.
The sailing: En route from Lisbon to Dublin, Star Legend will stop in famed wine regions in Spain, Portugal, and France — including Bordeaux and Porto — on this 10-day sailing.
Departs: June 10, 2016
Culinary Cruise of Spain and France
The chefs: Matt and Kate Jennings
These owners and chefs of Townsman in Boston are four-time JBF nominees for “Best Chef of the Northeast.”
The sailing: Reversing the route of the June 10 cruise, this 10-day sailing on Star Legend will go from Dublin to Lisbon, with stops in Bordeaux and Porto as well as a trip to the orchards of Gijon, Spain, where more than 200 apple varietals are grown.
Departs: August 9, 2016
