Chef's Table

[5waldos]

I have seen this mentioned numerous times but still haven't figured out what it actually is. Could someone enlighten me?

[Colo Cruiser]

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (January 2, 2008) - 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.

 

 

Designed as a unique treat for "foodies," Chef's Table experience offers a select group of gourmets 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.

[Tophat4321]

Pics of the Chef Table Process http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2035815&id=1415391557&l=527fba5f7c

[Hlitner]

I will try to make this simple and fast. If one enjoys a gourmet meal (as opposed to normal cruise cuisine) accompanied by decent wines and is willing to part with $75 per person the Chef's Table is a wonderful crusie experience. We have done it on two ships and loved every morsel.

 

Hank

[Duck Duck Cruise]

Here is a review we did on our Chef's Table dinner on the Golden earlier this year. Photos and all.

 

Chef’s Table http://thegeomonkeys.com/2010/02/thursday-february-4-2010-chef%E2%80%99s-table/

[Dani24]

It's a special dining experience, limited to roughly 10-12 passengers each night it's done (and it's usually only done once or twice per cruise). It includes a tour of the kitchen, along with a meet and greet with the head chef and maitre d'. The head chef personally serves special hors d'oeuvres that he made just for this dinner (that you will not be able to get anywhere else on the ship) along with champagne. Then, you head to a special table in the dining room that has been set up for your meal. The table is beautifully decorated. You are then served a multi-course meal that was prepared special just for the group directly by the head chef. Again, you'll have no other opportunity to enjoy these dishes anywhere else on the ship. Many of the dishes are pure works of art (with very creative presentations) that also taste phenomenal. The meal comes with unlimited wine pairings. In the end, you get a free picture from the experience with the head chef, and you also get a signed (by the head chef and maitre d' copy of the Princess cook book. At our dinner, the ladies also got roses. All this while the other passengers stare on in envy. :)

 

DH and I did this on our last cruise, and it was seriously to die for. I thought the food on Princess was really good in general. But this just completely blew my socks off. It was such an intimate, wonderful experience. We weren't sure if the $75/pp would be worth it, but it was such an extreme value (considering the incredibly food and all the wine) that we're planning on being the first on the ship on our next cruise so we can call in to do it again!

[5waldos]

Thanks- now I get it. The pictures are great. Sounds like quite an experience- more fun than one of the specialty restaurants. Is it difficult to get a place at one of the dinners?

[auntied]

You need to book this as soon as you board. Just call dining and ask to be put on the list for the Chefs Dinner. They will call you back if you are one of the lucky ones. One note, you need to make sure you have a pair of closed toed shoes in order to tour the galley. It really is a special event.

[5waldos]

I am taking notes here- now I have to figure out how to get on early so I can call and get listed. Sad you cannot do it prior to boarding. thanks all- I hope to be able to come back with a report from the Diamond.

[Duck Duck Cruise]

I sure hope you get it. It is an awesome experience (especially if you're a foodie)

[Coolmama_1]

We did the Chef's Table on the Crown last month and it was fabulous! It was truly the highpoint of the cruise!

[5waldos]

I sure hope you get it. It is an awesome experience (especially if you're a foodie)

 

Thanks- we are foodies!

 

I LOVE your quotes:

escargot - The soft, luxurious density of something delivered divinely from the sea, liberated from its shell by nymphs, relaxed into death by butter.

-Laura Kasischke

NOW! I want some NOW!

 

Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant?

I'm halfway through my fish burger and I realize ... OMG ...I could be eating a slow learner! -

Not to mention that there is a vague sense of cannibalism about it!

[dtagirl]

We did it on the Emerald February and it was fantastic! We called ASAP as soon as we were onboard (Elite helps) and were notified on Tuesday that we were accepted. There was only one during our cruise,but have been told that sometimes there are more than one depending on the length of cruise. It was great, one couple said that it was their 7th time. They do it each cruise! You also receive the Princess cookbook, signed by the chef, and a rose for the ladies. It was wonderful and the wine pairings were wonderful.

[Chesie]

Just off Sapphire Saturday. We were in the same dining room as the Chef's table, actually a table for 4 right next to it. Unfortunately, half way through our meal, the Chef's table started to fill up and our two waiters dropped us like a hot potatoe! So if you don't do the Chef's table, be sure your not in that area otherwise your service may decline.

 

Also, we had a cooking demo in the theater with the head chef and a FREE galley tour afterwards.

 

I'm sure it's most enjoyable but we ate at Sabitini's for DH BD and had a wonderful meal and service there.

[Ando]

I am taking notes here- now I have to figure out how to get on early so I can call and get listed. Sad you cannot do it prior to boarding. thanks all- I hope to be able to come back with a report from the Diamond.

 

After always boarding late afternoon & missing out on CT several times, we boarded our last Diamond cruise at 11.30, immediately went to our cabin & called the dining line and were instantly confirmed on our choice of 4 nights that were being offered.

 

It was a great evening which we will do again - good luck getting it :D

[tmitchell82]

We just did the Chef's Table for the second time on our Panama Canal cruise last month. Very much enjoyed it again. Had the same executive chef, but the meal was completely different other than one appetizer (and how can you say no to caviar a second time). They had 2 Chef's Tables on the cruise and we were on the second one. There was only 8 of us which surprised me. Then again, when we finished the Chef's Table about 9:45pm, there was almost no one in the dinning room. Below is a short video from our recent experience.

 

 

Tim

[Woobstr112G]

Not to be missed.....:):):)

 

 

 

Bob

[caribill]

Just

Also, we had a cooking demo in the theater with the head chef and a FREE galley tour afterwards.

 

The tour led by the head chef during the Chef's Dinner experience is through the galley when they are actually preparing and serving food, accompanied by explanations along the way about what is happening.

 

This is quite different from the mass walk through that you experienced where you need binoculars to spot any food being prepared. Nothing wrong with that walk through, but not really the same experience.

[W247]

I would love to be able to experience the chef table! We are going on an Alaska cruise and the only thing I am concerned about is that my husband is allergic to shellfish and is not a seafood person. I am afraid that he will not be able to enjoy the specialty cuisine.

[Dani24]

I would love to be able to experience the chef table! We are going on an Alaska cruise and the only thing I am concerned about is that my husband is allergic to shellfish and is not a seafood person. I am afraid that he will not be able to enjoy the specialty cuisine.

 

You should get a call or visit from the maitre d' at some point, to ask some questions about the Chef's Table. They'll ask you things like whether you have closed toed shoes (required in the kitchen), and if either of you have any food allergies. I don't know what happens if you say you do -- e.g. whether they'll rework the menu to accomodate that (or even ensure there are some items that are free of the problem ingredient), or if it becomes grounds to reject you for some other passenger who can enjoy the entire meal.

[W247]

Good Info! Thanks Dani. Our 16 yo son will be with us and is an inspiring chef so I really wanted him to be able to experience this too. I hope that they will be able to work around the allergy, or perhaps my husband will just hang out there for the experience and grab something from room service, earlier or later!

[BalconyGal]

We just did the Chef's Table for the second time on our Panama Canal cruise last month. Very much enjoyed it again. Had the same executive chef, but the meal was completely different other than one appetizer (and how can you say no to caviar a second time). They had 2 Chef's Tables on the cruise and we were on the second one. There was only 8 of us which surprised me. Then again, when we finished the Chef's Table about 9:45pm, there was almost no one in the dinning room. Below is a short video from our recent experience.

 

 

Tim

You mean this caviar?

 

This is just SOME of the appetizers they served. :p

[caribill]

I would love to be able to experience the chef table! We are going on an Alaska cruise and the only thing I am concerned about is that my husband is allergic to shellfish and is not a seafood person. I am afraid that he will not be able to enjoy the specialty cuisine.

 

I do not have an allergy problem, but do avoid seafood.

 

For the Chef's Table I attended, it was no problem. There were plenty of non-seafood items available. And when my main plate came including lobster and scallops (as well as other stuff I like), I had no problem giving those items to others at the table.

 

However, with an allergy problem, make sure the Matre d' knows about it so they can avoid cross contamination with the food he can consume.

[tmitchell82]

You mean this caviar?

 

This is just SOME of the appetizers they served. :p

 

We had caviar served on a potato pancake with sour cream. To die for. Normally not a fan of caviar, but the appetizer at the Chef's Table was awesome. Was too busy eating it to take a decent picture.:D

[Chesie]

The tour led by the head chef during the Chef's Dinner experience is through the galley when they are actually preparing and serving food, accompanied by explanations along the way about what is happening.

 

This is quite different from the mass walk through that you experienced where you need binoculars to spot any food being prepared. Nothing wrong with that walk through, but not really the same experience.

 

Your absolutly correct. However, they were preparing food the day we did our "walk through" and we didn't need binoculars:D I'm sure it's more up close and personal, that's why your charged;)