Anyone been on cruise with Jacque Pepin?

[kekilia]

On our cruise this July, Jacques Pepin and his family will be onboard. The only information posted about this is that he will be celebrating his 80th birthday, that there will be some special menus and that he will be doing some presentations.

 

My question is what to expect and when? Will there be a Gala Tea? Does he regularly travel onboard so that this is no t such a big deal? Or should we expect some things to happen? It would be nice to know because it is such a port intensive cruise and we've got lots of excursions, but I'd hate to miss an opportunity to see, hear or taste the food of Jacques!

[corpkid]

On our cruise this July, Jacques Pepin and his family will be onboard. The only information posted about this is that he will be celebrating his 80th birthday, that there will be some special menus and that he will be doing some presentations.

 

My question is what to expect and when? Will there be a Gala Tea? Does he regularly travel onboard so that this is no t such a big deal? Or should we expect some things to happen? It would be nice to know because it is such a port intensive cruise and we've got lots of excursions, but I'd hate to miss an opportunity to see, hear or taste the food of Jacques!

 

Our British Isles cruise in June 2014 was a "Jaques Pepin" cruise, which was also quite port intensive. Basically, because the ship is not that large, you will most likely bump into him often and he is super friendly and affable. We ran into him one night at Happy Hour in Horizons and chatted a bit. Then ran into him again on our 1 sea day in a of all places the hot tub. He also did a cooking demonstration in the culinary center for about 20 people (very high demand - I can't remember how we scored the tickets but look into that soon!). The demo was followed by Q&A and meet/greets (with photo ops) and he signed our cookbooks. I think he also did a few larger-scale cooking demos in the theater (the were rebroadcast on the TV's as they usually do). I know there were a few other JP-related items, but again, we were usually getting back to the ship around 5 or 6pm so didn't have much time. If you see him, don't be afraid to say "hi!"...

[BillPizzaiolo]

I must agree with Dom and Don whole heartedly. We were in a cooking class with Chef Kelly one morning and JP's suite was down the hall from the culinary center. He walked in wearing his bathrobe, to see what we were doing and asked chef Kelly if he could make himself a breakfast omelet. Sure enough Kelly said "yes chef by all means." So we had a "guest instructor" that morning. He was so delightful whenever we saw him the entire trip. He would approach us pleasantly. We tried not to interfere with his "vacation time." No one on board mobbed him and he was very approachable. You should have a great trip.

[Flatbush Flyer]

On our cruise this July, Jacques Pepin and his family will be onboard. The only information posted about this is that he will be celebrating his 80th birthday, that there will be some special menus and that he will be doing some presentations.

 

 

 

My question is what to expect and when? Will there be a Gala Tea? Does he regularly travel onboard so that this is no t such a big deal? Or should we expect some things to happen? It would be nice to know because it is such a port intensive cruise and we've got lots of excursions, but I'd hate to miss an opportunity to see, hear or taste the food of Jacques!

 

 

The 10 AM cooking class on the sea day (Wednesday) is called Happy Birthday Jacques. Doesn't mean he'll show up and greet the well wishes. But, we just got an e-mail saying the class will now meet at 9 AM. Maybe.....

[kekilia]

The 10 AM cooking class on the sea day (Wednesday) is called Happy Birthday Jacques. Doesn't mean he'll show up and greet the well wishes. But, we just got an e-mail saying the class will now meet at 9 AM. Maybe.....

 

I got the same email. Seems kind of early to cook, right after breakfast. I am thinking of canceling this. You think JP will show up? It is my understanding that this class is based on learning his techniques through the years and using his recipes. Something about sending him a photo birthday card.

[Flatbush Flyer]

I got the same email. Seems kind of early to cook, right after breakfast. I am thinking of canceling this. You think JP will show up? It is my understanding that this class is based on learning his techniques through the years and using his recipes. Something about sending him a photo birthday card.

 

 

I think he'll only show up if someone cancels and he can then take their place. :-)

[corpkid]

Just eat a really small breakfast... :) I've done 10am classes before and that always worked for me as you have plenty to eat over the 2 hour class. If he DOES show up, that sure would be a shame to miss! You could also look at it this way - you might actually be hungry enough to catch lunch which is something I always am not after a 10-12 cooking class. They guy is a real hoot and I would not want to miss cooking with him if you can...

[kekilia]

This is a difficult decision (first world problem, here) for me because it is our first day, our only sea day and after taking 3 days to get to port and 2 nights in port, I was looking forward to sleeping in and enjoying a breakfast on our veranda. Then, meandering down two doors to the culinary center at 10 am. This all changes with the shift from 10 to 9 am. An hour doesn't seem like a lot, but it makes a difference. Have to decide whether or not I want to sacrifice that first morning on our veranda for the maybe/maybe not appearance of JP.

 

I wonder if you can show up late?:o:p. Just kidding

[corpkid]

This is a difficult decision (first world problem, here) for me because it is our first day, our only sea day and after taking 3 days to get to port and 2 nights in port, I was looking forward to sleeping in and enjoying a breakfast on our veranda. Then, meandering down two doors to the culinary center at 10 am. This all changes with the shift from 10 to 9 am. An hour doesn't seem like a lot, but it makes a difference. Have to decide whether or not I want to sacrifice that first morning on our veranda for the maybe/maybe not appearance of JP.

 

I wonder if you can show up late?:o:p. Just kidding

 

You know at first I was little put off by your dissing of the haggis comment I made.... :) But yes, these are real concerns when you are on vacation (and paying dearly for such). It really does boil down to what matters more to you.... A 9am cooking class is tough!!!. Hell - the 10am on sea days makes me groggy and a sloppy chopper. (hehe) But I'm the guy up all night with the late night crowd at the casino and martini bar. LOL

[Mura]

A little bit off the topic ...

 

We haven't been on a cruise with JP, although we would love to be!

 

But we did go to a function in NYC when Marina was in the process of being built. This was held at the NYC Culinary Center where JP is a force of nature. They informed us of the status of the "build", the new chocolate and butter that they'd be using (especially the chocolate croissants which left us lusting) ... This event was limited to NYC vicinity passengers who had (as I recall 7 or 8 cruises with O under their belts) ... ironically enough, we'd just cancelled the cruise that would have admitted us to this party, but we went anyway.

 

The point is that JP did a delightful food demo ... I'd never pass up the opportunity to watch him cook! And like the chefs on board, he does like his wine while he is doing the demo ...

 

Mura

[kekilia]

A little bit off the topic ...

 

We haven't been on a cruise with JP, although we would love to be!

 

But we did go to a function in NYC when Marina was in the process of being built. This was held at the NYC Culinary Center where JP is a force of nature. They informed us of the status of the "build", the new chocolate and butter that they'd be using (especially the chocolate croissants which left us lusting) ... This event was limited to NYC vicinity passengers who had (as I recall 7 or 8 cruises with O under their belts) ... ironically enough, we'd just cancelled the cruise that would have admitted us to this party, but we went anyway.

 

The point is that JP did a delightful food demo ... I'd never pass up the opportunity to watch him cook! And like the chefs on board, he does like his wine while he is doing the demo ...

 

Mura

 

Sounds wonderful. Hope the chefs understand that we must also have wine while cooking! Not at 9 am, though!:o

[kekilia]

:o

You know at first I was little put off by your dissing of the haggis comment I made.... :) But yes, these are real concerns when you are on vacation (and paying dearly for such). It really does boil down to what matters more to you.... A 9am cooking class is tough!!!. Hell - the 10am on sea days makes me groggy and a sloppy chopper. (hehe) But I'm the guy up all night with the late night crowd at the casino and martini bar. LOL

 

No offense meant about the haggis, it just struck me because as it happens we are meeting dear Scottish friends from Edinburgh at conclusion of our cruise and traveling thru Europe and on to Scotland. They know I cannot stand even the thought of eating a haggis, so I am teased tirelessly about it. Just had to comment on that thread.

 

Anyway, I am afraid I will also be the one up till all hours (or at least midnight) either in Martinis or Horizons listening and dancing to live music. Makes a 9am class lose its appeal. Still have a few weeks to decide.

 

Now, does anyone have any ideas on how to instigate a gala tea?

Edited June 13, 2015 by kekilia

[Toranut97]

:o

 

 

Now, does anyone have any ideas on how to instigate a gala tea?

 

What is a "Gala Tea?"

 

There is a spectacular High Tea every day in Horizons complete with string quartet music, every day, every ship. What would the difference be? Simply using the time to honor Chef Pepin?

 

Genuinely curious.

 

Donna

[Lane412000]

I will let you know he stays in a OC Suite when cruising. ;)

[orchestrapal]

I will let you know he stays in a OC Suite when cruising. ;)

 

The point being??

[Lane412000]

The point being??

 

What is the point of your message?

 

I think my point is that when he cruises on one of the two larger Oceania cruise ships is that he stays in an OC.

[kekilia]

What is a "Gala Tea?"

 

There is a spectacular High Tea every day in Horizons complete with string quartet music, every day, every ship. What would the difference be? Simply using the time to honor Chef Pepin?

 

Genuinely curious.

 

Donna

 

The Gala Tea is an extraordinary High Tea, wherein they have ice sculptures, croque en bouche, spun sugar decorations and other very fancy creations by the pastry chefs, etc. look it up on the Oceania blog - looks amazing! Apparently they had these at milestone cruises (10th year anniversary for O, etc.) with FDR or Watters onboard and I believe on certain World voyages. Just thought maybe JP's 80th bday party might involve a Gala High Tea.

[Toranut97]

The Gala Tea is an extraordinary High Tea, wherein they have ice sculptures, croque en bouche, spun sugar decorations and other very fancy creations by the pastry chefs, etc. look it up on the Oceania blog - looks amazing! Apparently they had these at milestone cruises (10th year anniversary for O, etc.) with FDR or Watters onboard and I believe on certain World voyages. Just thought maybe JP's 80th bday party might involve a Gala High Tea.

 

Thank you. I have been to one of the Gala Brunches (ice sculptures, chocolate sculptures, etc., Etc) but hadn't heard of this one!!!

[LHT28]

Thank you. I have been to one of the Gala Brunches (ice sculptures, chocolate sculptures, etc., Etc) but hadn't heard of this one!!!

 

They have them on some of the longer cruises

 

 

[kekilia]

Wonderful! Pictures are fabulous!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[travelingduo]

We were on a cruise with JP. We were very excited and looking forward to it. He did two cooking demonstrations, sold books, and stayed to himself along with his entourage. We were in an Owner's Suite and he did a private dinner for the OS passengers. The dinner was nothing special, except for the wines, and he sat at a table with his "group" and did not mingle or talk with any of us. We have always been a great fan of his, but I would be dishonest if I didn't say we were very disappointed.