One of the joys of cruising for me is the culinary experiences that cruising offers. As much as I enjoy cooking, trying new recipes, reading and learning about regional specialities. I need to confess that I love being spoiled by NOT having to cook, clean and then being served gourmet dishes, fine wines & delightful cocktails with class & service. And this is just in the daily dining seating at dinner. The ship also offers buffet, spa food, pizzaria, outdoor grilled burgers, room service and speciality restaurants and cafe. But one of the “not so advertised” service that is definitely for Foodies, Gourmands, Epicureans and Gastronomes that Princess Cruises offers is the “Chef’s Table”.
Roger and I have decided to once again try and sign-up for this opportunity. We participated in this evening event on the Island Princess when we went to the Panama Canal in 2010. It is very competitive to get to participate. It requires getting on board the ship and immediately pursuing sign-up. It’s no guaranteed as there is very limited seating opportunities. I was told by a representative of Princess that there was a maximum of 10 per table and there will be a maximum of 4 tables per a 14 day cruise. Which if you calculate it out, that means 40 people will get to sign-up among the Diamond Princess’ passenger capacity of 2,670. In addition the cost per participant is $95 with wine and $80 without wine.
I am not certain that I am able to get a table of 10. But will try and do so upon my arrival. If this is truly a passionate interest, please contact me and I will take your name based upon a first come first served list. I will then pursue to try and get a table of 10. If I find that there are more then 10 individuals, I will then coordinate with one or two cruisers to assist me in working on this opportunity. Below is the information that I found on the Princess Cruise Website.
Food & Dining: The Chef's Table
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 Champagne and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a special multi-course tasting dinner paired with selected wines in the dining room.
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 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. Passengers 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 an additional cost. 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.
*Not available on Sun, Dawn and Sea Princess while in Australia.
