Chef's Table?

[cruisecruiserAS]

Hey everyone,

 

I was looking through the booklet that Princess sent me the other day and I saw something called the Chef's Table for $75 pp.

 

I was wondering what is the Chef's Table?

 

[Colo Cruiser]

News Article

 

 

 

 

Culinary Enthusiasts Can Savor a Private Gastronomic Gathering with Executive Chef

 

SANTA CLARITA, Calif.- Chefs Table offers a rare opportunity to be welcomed into the inner sanctum of the ship's galley by the executive chef for pre-dinner cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a specially prepared multi-course tasting dinner in the dining room.

While many passengers are able to enjoy a tour of the ship's galley during the quiet off-hours, the new Chef's Table offering will give a select group of gourmets the opportunity to visit the galley at its most busy time - during dinner - and treated to a full evening of memorable sights, tastes and conversation. After the Maitre d' personally escorts the passengers to the galley and introduces them to the executive chef, the group will enjoy French champagne with appetizers. The chef will preview the details of the menu he created for them that evening, and the group will be welcomed to their special table in the dining room.

The multi-course menu will be specially created at the chef's choice, and will not be 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 will be accompanied by a detailed explanation of special features, preparation methods, and tasting suggestions. Red and white wine, selected by the Maitre d' to complement the meal, is included in the evening.

During the dessert course, the chef will rejoin the group at their private table to participate in a lively discussion about the evening's meal, answer any questions the guests may have, and share culinary secrets that have been perfected through the chef's many years of experience at sea and on land. On average, Princess' chefs have been honing their culinary arts skills both shipside and shoreside for at least 25 years, and all chefs are also members of the prestigious international Cha?ne des R?tisseurs gastronomic society.

"Our chefs are continuously asked by passengers how they manage to create such an impressive culinary experience for thousands of passengers each voyage," said Rai Caluori, Princess' executive vice president of fleet operations. "This will give a select group of guests an incredible close-up view of how our dishes are created and served, as well as introduce them to our talented executive chefs. They're sure to come away with a memorable experience, and perhaps some cooking secrets as well!"

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 now 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 on select nights during the sailing, at a cost of $75 per person. After its debut on Emerald Princess, Chef's Table will be gradually introduced on all Princess ships fleet wide.

[jdm]

It's great for foodie types. We did it on the Crown for their New Year's cruise. It is well worth the $75pp. Be sure to sign up as soon as you board ship. I believe they might now do the Chef's Table more than one night if more than the dozen or so are interested. I would do it again.

[pungo3]

It sounds delightful. Do you know if they are doing it on ships other than the Emerald?

[zacc]

My wife and I enjoyed the Chefs Table the last week of April 08 aboard the Crown Princess. Absolutely wonderful! It was done two evenings with ten pax each evening.

[pungo3]

Great. That's exactly what I was hoping. I sail the Crown in October and this sounds like something I'd love to do.

[ginagirl]

Please advise when and how you made the reservations. Thank you for the info.

[cruisemom42]

Just got off the Caribbean Princess on Wednesday. I went down to the Palm dining room shortly after boarding and spoke to someone who got the Maitre d' for me. He took my name and told me I'd get a letter with details shortly. The next day the letter arrived and told me to meet the next morning with the Maitre d'. At that time he told all of us who had registered what to expect and we signed a form stating we'd abide by the rules (e.g., no touching anything in the galley, wearing a white coat, clean clothes, no illness, etc.)

 

On our cruise, the Chef's Table was also clearly "advertised" on the first page of the first day's Patter. I believe they told interested people to call the Dining Reservations line. However, I've read here on CC that this doesn't always seem to work, so that's why I was proactive and sought out the Maitre d' on the first day.

[LovetheSea]

I am going to be on the Crown Princess in Oct. I was also curious about the Chef's Table. There may be more videos as well. This is a neat place to find people's cruise videos.

I found this on UTUBE...http://youtube.com/watch?v=qcdxv_b2irw

 

I wasn't thinking it is worth the extra money, but after seeing the video I want to do it now! Can you make reservations before you cruise?

[cruisemom42]

I am going to be on the Crown Princess in Oct. I was also curious about the Chef's Table. There may be more videos as well. This is a neat place to find people's cruise videos.

I found this on UTUBE...http://youtube.com/watch?v=qcdxv_b2irw

 

I wasn't thinking it is worth the extra money, but after seeing the video I want to do it now! Can you make reservations before you cruise?

 

You can't make a reservation until you are on board.

[ginagirl]

Thanx so much for responding to my inquiry. Will try to do it.:D

[Colo Cruiser]

Just got off the Caribbean Princess on Wednesday. I went down to the Palm dining room shortly after boarding and spoke to someone who got the Maitre d' for me. He took my name and told me I'd get a letter with details shortly. The next day the letter arrived and told me to meet the next morning with the Maitre d'. At that time he told all of us who had registered what to expect and we signed a form stating we'd abide by the rules (e.g., no touching anything in the galley, wearing a white coat, clean clothes, no illness, etc.)

 

On our cruise, the Chef's Table was also clearly "advertised" on the first page of the first day's Patter. I believe they told interested people to call the Dining Reservations line. However, I've read here on CC that this doesn't always seem to work, so that's why I was proactive and sought out the Maitre d' on the first day.

 

 

 

So how was it?? :confused:

[Simru12]

I have my Vacation Planner at Princess keeping an eye on this for me. As of now, Chef's Table is available on the Caribbean, Crown, Dawn, Emerald, Golden, Grand, Ruby, Sea and Star.

 

There hasn't been recent announcements as to when other ships will offer it, but the press release from earlier this year said it would be fleetwide by the end of the year (except for the smaller ships - Pacific, Royal and Tahitian - due to size restraints)

 

I have a thread started on this (Chef's Table Roll-Out Schedule) which I will update as I get notiifed.

[cruisinbuddy]

Go to my review of the Chef's Table. If you are in any way a foodie, you'll want to do this.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=719246&highlight=chefs+table

[Carolyn R]

Just got off the Caribbean Princess on Wednesday. I went down to the Palm dining room shortly after boarding and spoke to someone who got the Maitre d' for me. He took my name and told me I'd get a letter with details shortly. The next day the letter arrived and told me to meet the next morning with the Maitre d'. At that time he told all of us who had registered what to expect and we signed a form stating we'd abide by the rules (e.g., no touching anything in the galley, wearing a white coat, clean clothes, no illness, etc.)

 

On our cruise, the Chef's Table was also clearly "advertised" on the first page of the first day's Patter. I believe they told interested people to call the Dining Reservations line. However, I've read here on CC that this doesn't always seem to work, so that's why I was proactive and sought out the Maitre d' on the first day.

 

Do you remember who the maitre d' was during the cruise? How about the head chef?

[mii]

I have my Vacation Planner at Princess keeping an eye on this for me. As of now, Chef's Table is available on the Caribbean, Crown, Dawn, Emerald, Golden, Grand, Ruby, Sea and Star.

 

.

 

Yippee, I am on the Star in oct. so will have a chance to try it.

 

marilyn

[cruisemom42]

Do you remember who the maitre d' was during the cruise? How about the head chef?

 

The maitre d' was Angelo Balbiani and the executive chef was Antonio Cereda. Both were very personable and I enjoyed meeting/talking with them.

[cruisemom42]

So how was it?? :confused:

 

Sorry, wasn't trying to keep you in suspense! I am writing up a full review. But it was a fantastic experience. Some of the courses were similar to those mentioned by other posters. Others were a bit different.

 

Appetizers:

 

Shrimp margarita with lime and mangos: fantastic

Foie Gras terrine on toasted broiche with pineapple chutney: rich and delicious

Tuna carpaccio on pumpernickle toast with lime and celery: my favorite

Potato crisps with sour cream and caviar

Mini pizzette (sp?) with goat cheese and ricotta: warm and buttery!

(All of the above were served beautifully on trays with highly decorative garnishes -- real works of art!)

 

Pasta:

Homemade fettucine a la mode du Chef: A heaping plate full of delicious pasta mixed with various shellfish. Knowing what was to come, I only ate about half.

 

Palate cleanser:

Strawberry and cracked pepper sorbet: delicious and refreshing

 

Entree:

"Double Impact" surf and turf: Believe it or not, this was a plate consisting of a lobster tail, diver scallops, a filet mignon, and lamb rib chops. This was accompanied by chateau potatoes and a warm artichoke salad. By this time I am swooning but still forking it in....

 

Cheese/Fruit course:

Roasted figs with gorgonzola, balsamic vinegar and black pepper zabaglione: I can't even describe how delicious this was -- one of my favorites of the evening

 

Dessert:

Soft-center fallen chocolate cake served with whiskey-soaked raisin-chocolate ice cream

 

This was followed by a plateful of home-made "gourmandizes" served with coffee. The plates were made of spun sugar, along with the fanciful decorations on it.

 

Wow!!!!

 

Of course, we were served champagne with our appetizers, a nice white and very good red with dinner, and a dessert Sauvignon Blanc with dessert.

 

So, is your mouth watering yet?

[Pixelator]

Be still, my soul !

[ggprincess2004]

Yes, Cynthia, drooling! Seriously, thank you for the detailed listing. So far, the chef's table hasn't been available for us, but with our b2b on the Emerald this coming January I am eagerly anticipating the experience. :)

[BJS]

Some of the courses were similar to those mentioned by other posters. Others were a bit different.

 

On the Crown in May our meal was totally different. There were two other Chef's Tables held on the same cruise and each of them were also different and different from ours.

 

It is nice to know that the experience will be different even with the same Head Chef.

 

The only constant seems to be that there are 13 courses, Champagne, white wine, red wine, and dessert wine and it is fantastic.

 

.

[crusdiva]

Yes, Cynthia, drooling! Seriously, thank you for the detailed listing. So far, the chef's table hasn't been available for us, but with our b2b on the Emerald this coming January I am eagerly anticipating the experience. :)

 

On the Crown in May our meal was totally different. There were two other Chef's Tables held on the same cruise and each of them were also different and different from ours.

It is nice to know that the experience will be different even with the same Head Chef.

The only constant seems to be that there are 13 courses, Champagne, white wine, red wine, and dessert wine and it is fantastic.

 

Here's the menu from our Chef's Table on the Emerald's TA in April

It is an incredible experience.

The food the service, everything. We attended the first one of the cruise. Ten of us met at the IC and were given in lab coats, we were escorted by Maitre'd Generoso Mazzone through DaVinci to the galley, we were instructed to scrub our hands and then enjoyed 4 courses of appetizers accompanied by Moet and Chandon (in the galley). And that's just the start. The Head Chef Michele Cozzoli describing each course as we go along. We were escorted back out to the Piazza where we turn in our lab coats and brought to a table at Michangelo set with beautiful flowers. Next is the pasta course, lobster risotto paired with a Sauvignon Blanc, is followed by the most incredible sorbet - Bloody Mary (drowning in Grey Goose), then the main course spiked and flambe' trio of beef (beef, veal and pork) accompanied by 5 fabulous sauces and Murrieta's Well wine. The cheese course was next, which I found too potent and then the dessert....oh, chocolate fallen cake with a raspberry center and the whole thing was on a "sugar plate" , wine paired as well. Absolutely to die for! We had great table mates and the evening flew by. The women were presented with a long stemmed red rose, each couple was given the Courses cookbook, signed by Michele and Generoso and the photographer was there to record the moment. Generoso presented us with our photograph later in the cruise.

It was a wonderful evening indeed.