Colo Cruiser Posted January 2, 2008 #1 Share Posted January 2, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorontoTL Posted January 2, 2008 #2 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Great news, I look forward to trying it someday in the future.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted January 2, 2008 Author #3 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Think that top date should be 2008, it was a new news posting on the Princess website today. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhopal21 Posted January 2, 2008 #4 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Hook me up!:cool: Think it will be available by mid-February on The Golden? Mike:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhopal21 Posted January 2, 2008 #5 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Colo Cruiser, do you suspect smart casual would be the proper dress for this event? Thanks Mike:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mii Posted January 2, 2008 #6 Share Posted January 2, 2008 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spingal Posted January 2, 2008 #7 Share Posted January 2, 2008 THANKS for letting us know!! I hope it is available in April on the Diamond! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ancldaca Posted January 2, 2008 #8 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Colo Cruiser, do you suspect smart casual would be the proper dress for this event? Thanks Mike:) On my 12/15 KP cruise it was smart casual. Make sure to take fully enclosed shoes along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhopal21 Posted January 2, 2008 #9 Share Posted January 2, 2008 On my 12/15 KP cruise it was smart casual. Make sure to take fully enclosed shoes along. Thanks, sure don't want any mashed potatoes between my toes.:D :D Mike:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdsqrl Posted January 2, 2008 #10 Share Posted January 2, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
friend of Eeyore Posted January 2, 2008 #11 Share Posted January 2, 2008 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??) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
west coast cruiser Posted January 2, 2008 #12 Share Posted January 2, 2008 I am traveling solo on the Diamond in March and if it is available I will certainly do it. I sounds great. WCC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ancldaca Posted January 2, 2008 #13 Share Posted January 2, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qsuzi Posted January 2, 2008 #14 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Colo Cruiser. Can you post the link---the most recent I found is dated 3/27/07!:eek: Princess customer service did not have any additional information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted January 2, 2008 Author #15 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Colo Cruiser. Can you post the link---the most recent I found is dated 3/27/07!:eek: Princess customer service did not have any additional information. http://www.princess.com/news/index.jsp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted January 2, 2008 Author #16 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Colo Cruiser, do you suspect smart casual would be the proper dress for this event? Thanks Mike:) I would say yes too. :) Don't want to look like a an old western photo op for everybody while sitting there as they pass gawking. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinbuddy Posted January 3, 2008 #17 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I sure hope that I can get in on it on the Crown come Feb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globaliser Posted January 3, 2008 #18 Share Posted January 3, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m steve Posted January 3, 2008 #19 Share Posted January 3, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momoforthodoc Posted January 3, 2008 #20 Share Posted January 3, 2008 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: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdm Posted January 7, 2008 #21 Share Posted January 7, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bacm Posted January 10, 2008 #22 Share Posted January 10, 2008 jdm - you said that you called as soon as you got onto the ship? where do you call to set up a reservation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mii Posted January 10, 2008 #23 Share Posted January 10, 2008 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvaud Posted January 10, 2008 #24 Share Posted January 10, 2008 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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