Chefs Table. Tell me about your experience

[kittysnme]

Hi, I've never done the Chef's Table. Can you tell me about your experience and what you enjoyed most and least. Thank you in advance for sharing.

 

 

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[friargirl]

We loved it. We went last year on the Splendor. It's great if you're a foodie, and open to trying new things. Every single one of the courses were delicious, and presented beautifully, and my wine glass was never empty ;). We loved the tour of the galley (spotless, by the way), and just trying new things. I'm more picky than my husband and I loved every single thing. 3 1/2 hours, we were in our own private room....loved it. Other than the 2 rude women in our group who were making fun of 2 other people behind their backs, I wouldn't change a thing. My husband and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again, and we plan on it next year :)

[akeka]

I blogged about our experience on the Triumph in November 2015. Here's the URL to the post: http://kaylynnakers.com/carnival-triumph-chefs-table/

[lukydog]

We did the Chef's Table on the Breeze and loved it. Very interesting and enjoyable....go hungry!! If you have food allergies or sensitivities they will work with you. When you make your reservation, just let then know what they are. My husband has to eat gluten free and I cannot eat any kind of raw fish and they totally adapted our servings to those needs.

[crusinpsychRN]

I was solo so they seated me at the head of the table unfortunately next to THE most boring woman in the world who talked for 3.5 hours about a houseboat ride on the Seine. He husband ignored her. I had to get up and leave for a few minutes hoping the topic would change. I couldn't get a word in edgewise.

 

The only food I didn't like was a Mediterranean salad. The sea bass was the best fish I've ever had.

[trippingpara]

My wife and I did the Chef's Table for the first time on the Vista during her inaugural run. You can see my review below for a blow by blow review of it with a ton of photos. Overall, we absolutely loved it and have already signed up for it on our next cruise on the Sunshine! I'm a finicky eater and was not overly excited by the menu. But my oh my, was it delicious!!! The chef explained everything with a great tour of the galley and even had a magician stop by. Of course, the non-stop flowing wine certainly didn't hurt matters either!

[Fighterone]

I was solo so they seated me at the head of the table unfortunately next to THE most boring woman in the world who talked for 3.5 hours about a houseboat ride on the Seine. He husband ignored her. I had to get up and leave for a few minutes hoping the topic would change. I couldn't get a word in edgewise.

 

The only food I didn't like was a Mediterranean salad. The sea bass was the best fish I've ever had.

 

Hello cruisinpsychRN

I was looking at your sailings and wondering if maybe we sailed together somewhere since I remember seeing it a while back, somewhere but it doesn't look like it from your sailing curriculum. Sorry you had such an idiot sitting beside you. I would have been beside myself too.

 

Hello Kittysnme,

As far as the Chef's Table experience, I have attended it twice with the first menu and once ever since for a total of 5 times.

 

They have just started serving the 5th menu on the Vista and I am wondering if it's available on the other ships yet (going on Sensation in 6 weeks) The attachment below is of the last menu which I enjoyed in May 2015 on the Breeze. My DH has no interest. It takes too long so I go solo.

 

What I enjoyed most was the very elaborate dishes and their presentation, foods I'd never had such as wagyu short ribs and beet leather, just so beautiful and delicious, all of it, the demo of the chocolate melting cake which I participated in, the tour of the galley (they recommend closed toed shoes)and the numerous glasses of wine with the meal, 3 types. What I enjoyed least was the man beside me who forgot to take a bath, one of the magicians on one occasion was pretty poor (they throw that in between courses) sometimes, the chef is hard to understand as they are mostly from India and give detailed explanations. You meet at one of the ship's bars, given a glass of sparkling wine, escorted into the galley and stand around a steel work table while served the appetizers. This might be different on the Vista since they have a beautiful area specially for the Chef's Table.

[MistyRo76]

Has anyone who has done Chef's Table had the Cheers package? If so, two questions for you:

 

Do the glasses of wine count toward your 15 drink limit?

 

Will they bring you cocktails other than wine to be charged to your S&S card (which of course would go toward your daily limit)?

 

Just curious about the first question mostly and I ask the 2nd question because I don't typically like to drink more than a glass or two of wine in a sitting - it tends to give me a headache, which other beverages do not have the same effect.

 

Doing Chef's Table for the first time on our Nov. 2017 Vista cruise! Can't wait!

 

Thanks,

Misty

[jwjax]

Hello cruisinpsychRN

I was looking at your sailings and wondering if maybe we sailed together somewhere since I remember seeing it a while back, somewhere but it doesn't look like it from your sailing curriculum. Sorry you had such an idiot sitting beside you. I would have been beside myself too.

 

Hello Kittysnme,

As far as the Chef's Table experience, I have attended it twice with the first menu and once ever since for a total of 5 times.

 

They have just started serving the 5th menu on the Vista and I am wondering if it's available on the other ships yet (going on Sensation in 6 weeks) The attachment below is of the last menu which I enjoyed in May 2015 on the Breeze. My DH has no interest. It takes too long so I go solo.

 

What I enjoyed most was the very elaborate dishes and their presentation, foods I'd never had such as wagyu short ribs and beet leather, just so beautiful and delicious, all of it, the demo of the chocolate melting cake which I participated in, the tour of the galley (they recommend closed toed shoes)and the numerous glasses of wine with the meal, 3 types. What I enjoyed least was the man beside me who forgot to take a bath, one of the magicians on one occasion was pretty poor (they throw that in between courses) sometimes, the chef is hard to understand as they are mostly from India and give detailed explanations. You meet at one of the ship's bars, given a glass of sparkling wine, escorted into the galley and stand around a steel work table while served the appetizers. This might be different on the Vista since they have a beautiful area specially for the Chef's Table.

 

I am of the same opinion as cruisinpsychRN! The CT menu has not changed in at least 3-4 years. I think it is time for a new menu!:)

 

IMHO...The ships that have the CT in the Galley should be avoided. Although, some experiences of the CT in the Galley are OK by some, for the most part if it is in the galley don't waste your money ( I wouldn't ever spend that amount for a dinner in galley, and then have no idea what I was eating because I couldn't hear what the chef was yelling??).:(

 

Although the food was fine, the service was fine, the fact that no one could hear the chef (or the magician) was NOT. :mad:

Edited July 22, 2016 by jwjax

[isaiahsnana]

Has anyone who has done Chef's Table had the Cheers package? If so, two questions for you:

 

Do the glasses of wine count toward your 15 drink limit?

 

Will they bring you cocktails other than wine to be charged to your S&S card (which of course would go toward your daily limit)?

 

Just curious about the first question mostly and I ask the 2nd question because I don't typically like to drink more than a glass or two of wine in a sitting - it tends to give me a headache, which other beverages do not have the same effect.

Doing Chef's Table for the first time on our Nov. 2017 Vista cruise! Can't wait!

 

Just my opinion, but since the meal is the star of the show and other forms of alcohol and mixers may not enhance the course being served. I would stick with the two glasses of wine and change to sparkling water or iced tea, both of which can be requested.

[Seattlejo]

Hi, I've never done the Chef's Table. Can you tell me about your experience and what you enjoyed most and least. Thank you in advance for sharing.

 

We did it on the Miracle in July of 2015. I loved the behind the scenes look at the kitchen, the insight about what goes into prepping, cooking, serving everyone on board.

 

The menu was good, but we found it to be a little bit long, and the gaps between courses long. It was similar to "have an appetizer" wait 30 minutes "have an appetizer" and so on. My BF is Type 1 diabetic, so it wasn't great for his medication, but thats our concern, no one else's.

 

I'm glad we did it, but since the menu doesnt change we likely won't ever do it again. On the other hand, I could eat at the steakhouse every single night.

[coevan]

It is an excellent experience, yes it's long, but where are you going? The wine does not count against your cheers package. Our only complaint was eating in the kitchen, we would have preferred a more private setting

[xyzcruiser]

I have been on two Chefs Tables in the galley and had no problem hearing anything- definitely not a waste of time. Other times I have been in the nightclub or a separate small room.The atmosphere in the nightclub did not lend itself to the elegance of the affair but the small room was perfect. All in all while I would prefer a certain venue, all my experiences were wonderful but it is definitely time for a new menu.

[ChicoCA]

Anyone know where it's held on the Conquest? Galley or?

[crusinpsychRN]

I'd rather go to the steakhouse twice.

[CGinMTL]

I have also done it twice. the "behind the scene" info was worth the price of the meal.

However, some chef's are more into it then others.

Our 1st experience was in the Galley........... the executive chef was really nice.

.

the 2nd time was in the dining room, the attitude of the executive chef was " I don't have time for this". he was there........ by obligation......... but we did not feel his heart was in it.

.

but I would recommend it.

[agp_mzk]

The CT menu has not changed in at least 3-4 years.

 

This is not true. I did the Chef's Table on the Paradise in 2013, and the menu has changed twice since then. I can't wait to do it again on the Dream this December!

[jwjax]

This is not true. I did the Chef's Table on the Paradise in 2013, and the menu has changed twice since then. I can't wait to do it again on the Dream this December!

 

Great!!:) I hope this is true!

 

Can you provide a menu, that shows that it has changed in the last 3-4 years? :confused:

 

I have attended the CT twice in 4 years and each time the menu was the same....go to CCL's website to check the menu?

 

If, in fact, you have experienced a menu change of the Chefs Table since 2013, please be so kind as to provide the menu, so that we can all ask the Chef and staff for the same, on our next cruise.:confused:

 

Curious minds want to know?:confused:

Edited July 24, 2016 by jwjax

[Spoot]

Has anyone who has done Chef's Table had the Cheers package? If so, two questions for you:

 

 

 

Do the glasses of wine count toward your 15 drink limit?

 

 

 

Will they bring you cocktails other than wine to be charged to your S&S card (which of course would go toward your daily limit)?

 

 

 

Just curious about the first question mostly and I ask the 2nd question because I don't typically like to drink more than a glass or two of wine in a sitting - it tends to give me a headache, which other beverages do not have the same effect.

 

 

 

Doing Chef's Table for the first time on our Nov. 2017 Vista cruise! Can't wait!

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

Misty

 

 

I did the chefs table last year and had cheers. The wine doesn't count against your 15 drink limit [emoji5]

[coevan]

The executive chef does not do the Chef's Table, ine of his minions do the job

[agp_mzk]

Can you provide a menu, that shows that it has changed in the last 3-4 years?

 

I haven't done CT since 2013, but I have seen two menus posted in various reviews here since then that are different than the one I have/did. One change happened shortly after my trip, and one change happened very recently.

[jwjax]

I haven't done CT since 2013, but I have seen two menus posted in various reviews here since then that are different than the one I have/did. One change happened shortly after my trip, and one change happened very recently.

 

Great!

 

Once again, please provide these menus or link to them. Everyone at the CT gets a copy of the menu to take home. The 2016/2013-14 menus are the same on both of my copies??:confused:

A word of advice! Before you call someone out for something you think to be false, it is always prudent to have your proof and facts in order and ready to present!!:):)

 

Unless someone speaks out and presents an updated menu for the CT, since say 2013, I stand by by original statement.

 

The CT menu needs to be changed, if CCL wants returning pax to attend the function again....and again:)

 

If however, I am wrong, please accept my sincere apologies:)

 

 

[agp_mzk]

Once again, please provide these menus or link to them. Everyone at the CT gets a copy of the menu to take home. The 2016/2013-14 menus are the same on both of my copies??:confused:

A word of advice! Before you call someone out for something you think to be false, it is always prudent to have your proof and facts in order and ready to present!!:):)

 

Unless someone speaks out and presents an updated menu for the CT, since say 2013, I stand by by original statement.

 

I'm sorry that I don't save links to all of the dozens of reviews I read here on Cruise Critic. All I can tell you is that I have seen MULTIPLE posters review the Chef's Table since my 2013 cruise on the Paradise, and I have seen two CT menus that are different than the one I experienced since that time. You can choose to believe me or not, but that is what I have seen ON THIS VERY BOARD.

[LC12065]

 

 

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Edited July 26, 2016 by LC12065

[LC12065]

This menu is new in Vista and is to roll out fleet wide

 

 

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