Content Section

Holland America Line's World-Renowned Culinary Council Takes on a New Focus That Taps into the Expertise of its Seven Celebrity Chefs

Culinary Council chefs now responsible for dedicatedculinary experiences

Seattle, Wash., Mar. 5, 2018 —Holland America Line is cultivating the expertise of the seven members of itsaward-winning Culinary Council by entrusting each chef with a designatedonboard dining experience to enhance and elevate. The Culinary Councilcomprises a collection of elite international celebrity chefs who bring globalinfluence to every dining venue across the fleet.

The Culinary Council is led by Holland America Line's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin,who is joined by international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Elizabeth Falkner,Andy Matsuda, Ethan Stowell and Jacques Torres. Holland America Line also justannounced a collaboration with wine critic James Suckling to curate its winelists and works with master mixologist Dale DeGroff on its cocktail program.

"Holland America Line's Culinary Council is made up of some of the world'sleading food authorities who have a tremendous amount of talent and knowledge,and the most profound way for us to use their expertise is to have them focuson their specialties throughout our different dining experiences," said OrlandoAshford, Holland America Line's president. "Culinary partners often onlyinfluence one restaurant or one area, but having seven world-class chefsenables us to cover our entire dining program and utilize their collectivepassion and creativity so all guests can enjoy their cuisine."

Rudi Sodamin, MasterChef and Culinary Council Chairman
Sodamin oversees all aspects of onboard dining, in addition to bringing hisinfluence and expertise to Rudi's Sel de Mer. The popular French brasserie is astandalone venue on Koningsdamand Nieuw Statendamand is featured on other ships through special pop-up dinners in the PinnacleGrill. Sodamin was born in Austria and trained in France. He recently releasedhis latest culinary masterpiece, an art table book called "Food Faces" thatfeatures more than 150 vibrant images of edible creations that display awhimsical spectrum of human emotion. His innovative approach has made him themost decorated chef on the world's oceans.

Jonnie Boer Offers aTaste of De Librije
Jonnie Boer will bring the flavors of his internationally acclaimed restaurant,De Librije, on board select sailings through special Taste of De Librijeevenings in the Pinnacle Grill. Dutch-born Jonnie Boer is the driving forcebehind De Librije, a regional, fine-dining restaurant in the Netherlands.Recognized as one of The World's 50 Best Restaurants, De Librije has earned athree-star Michelin rating every year since 2004.

David BurkeInfluences the Pinnacle Grill Menu
A leading pioneer of unique, contemporary American cuisine and a master ofFrench culinary technique, Burke will continue to enhance the menu at thePinnacle Grill, adding contemporary flavors and new signature recipes. Burkepartnered with Smith & Wollensky CEO Alan Stillman to open the criticallyacclaimed Park Avenue Café, and then, in 1996, he became vice president ofculinary development for the Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group. Burke is arestaurateur, cookbook author, inventor and consultant at ESquared Hospitality,which owns and operates the BLT restaurant brand. He has been featured on "IronChef America" and "Top Chef Masters."

Elizabeth FalknerIntroduces Lighter Fare
At the forefront of the culinary arts and a recurring judge and competitor onthe Food Network, Falkner will be introducing a variety of new, lighter fare tovenues across the fleet. Frequently interviewed and quoted on healthy cuisineand eating habits, she is an advocate for people and chefs to think more likeathletes and "stay fit to cook." Falkner does both savory and sweet,traditional and modern and has earned accolades for her ground-breaking SanFrancisco, California, shop, Citizen Cake.

Andy Matsuda BringsTop Sushi Trends and Techniques
The newest member of the Culinary Council, Matsuda will lead sushi offerings inLido Market as well as the sushi menu available in Tamarind on select ships.Aboard Nieuw Statendam,Matsuda's creations will be featured at Nami Sushi, the new sushi bar insideTamarind. The Japanese-born chef is at the forefront of sushi trends andtechniques. At Matsuda's Sushi Chef Institute in Los Angeles, California, heteaches aspiring chefs and professionals about sushi and Japanese cuisine.

Ethan StowellCelebrates the Flavors of the Pacific Northwest
A recent addition to the Culinary Council, Stowell will bring the uniqueflavors of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest on board ships sailing in theregion. Also known for his pasta and Italian dishes, Stowell will introduceseveral of his recipes at New York Pizza and select Lido Market stations on allships. With an impressive roster of highly acclaimed restaurants, Stowell hashelped to change the face of the Seattle food scene. He was named one of theBest New Chefs in America by Food & Wine magazine in 2008 and chosen as oneof the Best New Chef All-Stars in 2013.

Jacques Torres'Chocolate Confections Are a Sweet Indulgence
A world-renowned chocolatier known as Mr. Chocolate, Torres will guidemasterful chocolate desserts for Holland America Line's dining venues, as wellas the Chocolate Surprise Dessert Parade featured on the last gala evening ofevery cruise. A French-trained Master Chef and artisan chocolatier, Torres is aJames Beard Award recipient. After rising to executive pastry chef at NewYork's legendary Le Cirque, he opened a chocolate factory and stores throughoutNew York. Torres is co-hosting and head judge on the new Netflix culinary show"Nailed It" with Nicole Byer. Debuting March 9, the reality contest programpits home bakers against one another attempting to recreate ediblemasterpieces.

For more information, contact a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Editor's note: Photosare available at # style="color: rgb(96, 96, 96);">

— # # # —

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all socialmedia outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home pageat hollandamerica.com.

AboutHolland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:CCL and CUK)]

Kaleidoscope powered