What is Chef's Table?

[maisey]

I am cruising Princess for the first time in a few weeks. I just saw a thread about the chef's table. I have not heard of it before. I will be on the Caribbean Princess New England, Canada cruise. Could you please tell me about the chef's table? Thank you.

[roe2ship]

Here is a link from the Princess website:

 

http://www.princess.com/news/article.jsp?newsArticleId=na923

[jfv379]

The Chef's Table IMHO is a must. Not just for the food, but the tour, the presentation, the wine pairings, the photos, the cook book, but for all of it as a whole. On these boards there are many descriptions of individual dinners, one of the best was written in April of this year by a fellow on the Crown. Same cruise as us but different dinner. Sorry that I don't remember his name. He must have sat there with pen and paper. I couldn't remember all of that stuff.:D

[crusdiva]

I am cruising Princess for the first time in a few weeks. I just saw a thread about the chef's table. I have not heard of it before. I will be on the Caribbean Princess New England, Canada cruise. Could you please tell me about the chef's table? Thank you.

If you get the chance to participate you should do so, it's a wonderful experience. It's $75 per person and worth every penny. IMHO

Here's what I posted about our Chef's Table experience on the Emerald in April:

Chef's Table

We had the pleasure of participating in the Chef’s Table on the Emerald 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.

 

And here's our menu:

[jacketwatch]

Thanks. I wanted to know about this as well. :)

[dnt4382]

We did the Chef's table on the dawn in September and it was a great experience, and well worth the $75. Someone at the table said "well this is my excursion for the day" and when thinking about it, it is about the cost of some of the cheaper excurions. But what you get for your money is awesome. The food, the wine, the companionship just make it a fun fun evening. Our head chef and matre'd were great as well.

 

The cook book we got, signed by the Chef, the soo Chef and the Matre'd along with the picture we got will always be a great rememberance of the adventure!!

[EtherlyCC]

We just off the Sea Princess last week and did the Chefs table. I cannot add any more that other posters have said without boring you, but it is a must do for $75 each. Great treat and excellent food, wine and company. You need to sign up as soon as you board the ship. Ring the dining room line and get your name down.:)

[tonit964]

Does anyone know if it is available on the Sapphire?

[Near PDX]

When signing up for the Chef's table, if it better to call the dinning line, or see the Maitre'd?

[EtherlyCC]

When signing up for the Chef's table, if it better to call the dinning line, or see the Maitre'd?

 

I did both, rang dining room when first boarded, then checked with the Maitre'd at dinner on first night to check he knew of my request (and he did).

[mae]

Just a few questions for whomever. Which ships is this available on? How many nights is it available? How many guests are at each? Is it early or late seating? How do you find out when these dinners are? Can you make reservations before boarding? Is dress normal evening dining room attire or more towards semi-formal dress code? Thanks in advance.

[dnt4382]

I'll try to answer the questions I know. We were on a 10 day cruise and they did it twice. We met outside the dining room with the Matre'd at 715pm and went straight to the kitchen with our group of 10 folks. Casual dressy is fine for this event-they don't even offer it on formal nights since you go back to kitchen, etc.

 

You can't make reservations before you arrive, but make sure you either go see the matre'd or call the dining room the first day of the cruise in order to get on the list. You will then recieve an invitation in your room.

 

Each ship is different with different Itineray, so the dates really do vary. But if you are the least bit interested, go for it. You will be talking about it for a long time!! We will definetly do it again on a future cruise. The whole staff makes you feel like celebrities, and you are pampered better than at a 5 star restraunt on land.

 

Good Luck

[dchip]

Just a few questions for whomever. Which ships is this available on? How many nights is it available? How many guests are at each? Is it early or late seating? How do you find out when these dinners are? Can you make reservations before boarding? Is dress normal evening dining room attire or more towards semi-formal dress code? Thanks in advance.

 

There was only one Chef's Table for the 10 night cruise. There were 10 people at the table. The dress was Smart Casual. It was a wonderful experience!! We took our sons and DIL for our shared anniversary.

 

The pics and menu are here: http://www.pbase.com/dchip/chefs_table

 

Cheers, Denise

[mae]

Thanks for the answers. I hope it's offered on our Panama Canal cruise in Feb. on the Island. We'll get right on it as soon as we can after boarding and check into when and if it is offered. Sounds like a great time. I like the idea of considering it one of the "excursions". Thanks again.

[paddy Anne]

I would love to do this but my partner has both seafood and nut allergies. she could skip the seafood courses but do you know if they can guarantee nut free foods?

thanks,

Paddy Anne

[cruisemom42]

I would love to do this but my partner has both seafood and nut allergies. she could skip the seafood courses but do you know if they can guarantee nut free foods?

thanks,

Paddy Anne

 

 

If you sign up for Chef's Table, you will have a "pre-meeting" with the maitre d' where he will ask if anyone has any food allergies, etc. They take this into consideration before issuing the final invitation; you and your partner may or may not be able to participate. The menu is up to the chef.