Holland America Line announces “Culinary Ambassador” cruises with top chefs

 Holland America Line is blending world-class travel and exceptional culinary experiences  with new “Culinary Ambassador” cruises in 2025 and 2026.    

 

These special sailings on segments of Grand Voyages and other select cruises will feature exclusive experiences hosted by one of Holland America Line’s Culinary Ambassadors — a collection of world-renowned chefs, beverage experts and culinary visionaries who enrich the onboard dining and beverage offerings fleetwide through signature dishes and cocktail recipes.

 

Cruises featuring a Culinary Ambassador will offer exciting activities where the experts share their knowledge, techniques and tips. For the chef ambassadors, guests can attend a live cooking demonstration led by the chef, join a coffee chat to learn more about them, and dine at an intimate reservation-only dinner with a curated menu hosted by the chef. The beverage experts will offer tastings, special events and host a pairing dinner in a specialty restaurant.  

 

“Dining has become an essential part of how people explore the world, and our Culinary Ambassador program allows us to offer something truly special — an experience that goes beyond the plate,” said Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line. “Through the Culinary Ambassador cruises, we can bring some of the world’s most celebrated experts on board to elevate the journey. It’s not just about eating well for our guests — it’s about learning, tasting something new, having fun and perhaps getting some tips to use in their own kitchens.”

 

Holland America Line Culinary Ambassador chefs include David Burke, Masaharu Morimoto, Ethan Stowell and Jacques Torres. Culinary Ambassador beverage experts, who created regionally inspired cocktails for the cruise line’s bars and menus, include Sam Ross (Alaska), Ivy Mix (Mexico), Tess Posthumus (Northern Europe), and David Wondrich and Jeff Berry (Caribbean). Master Tea Blender Steve Schwartz also will join a Culinary Ambassador cruise in Asia.

 

 

Chef David Burke enhances the menu at Pinnacle Grill, adding contemporary flavors and signature recipes. Currently, Burke and his David Burke Hospitality Management team operate or orchestrate the culinary component of 18 restaurants, a historic event venue and a bakery. They also oversee a growing roster of David Burke-branded products, including cookware, bakeware, steak sauce, cutlery and wine. He has been featured on “Top Chef Masters,” “Every Day with Rachael Ray” and NBC’s “TODAY.”

 

Chef Ethan Stowell incorporates the flavors of the Pacific Northwest on ships sailing in that region, using fresh, sustainably sourced Alaska seafood. His fare also is featured at New York Pizza and Lido Market across the fleet, using pasta and pizza crust made fresh on board. Stowell is founder and CEO of ESR with an impressive roster of highly acclaimed restaurants. He was named one of the Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine magazine and one of the Best New Chef All-Stars.

 

Chef Masaharu Morimoto is Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, bringing his signature style to dishes in the Dining Room and at Morimoto By Sea. This exclusive restaurant is featured on Nieuw Amsterdam and as a pop-up across the rest of the fleet. Additionally, a Morimoto By Sea sushi counter is available within the Tamarind Restaurant on Pinnacle- and Signature-class ships. Chef Morimoto — known to millions as the star of “Iron Chef” and “Iron Chef America” and executive producer and head judge for Roku’s “Sushi Master” — has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients. He has restaurants around the world, is a cookbook author and the recipient of numerous awards.

 

Bartender Ivy Mix’s cocktails are featured on cruises to Mexico and South America, where her unique knowledge of the agave spirits field shines through. In 2015, she co-opened her bar, Leyenda, with Julie Reiner in Brooklyn, New York, as well as her bottle shop Fiasco! Wine + Spirits. She is the author of “Spirits of Latin America” and the recipient of numerous awards. Mix is the co-founder of Speed Rack, a woman-only, high-speed bartending competition that has raised more than $1 million for breast cancer research.

 

Master Tea Blender Steve Schwartz is founder of Art of Tea. He is known by many authoritative figures in the tea industry as a Master Tea Blender. He has blended award-winning teas under the Art of Tea brand, and his blends are offered under the company’s private-label program for tea companies around the world. Schwartz will host a tea tasting experience, a “Rituals of Tea” seminar and an exclusive High Tea with Art of Tea event on his Culinary Ambassador cruise.  

 

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.