James Beard Foundation launched its Culinary Collection series of eight 2017-2018 voyages onboard small luxury cruise line Windstar.
On its fleet, Windstar launched its stellar James Beard program featuring exclusive menus created by guest chefs, including "Top Chef" judge Hugh Acheson and Renee Erickson, Seattle-based chef who won 2016 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northwest. Nationally celebrated chefs, such as Andy Ricker, Mario Pagan and Keith Rhodes - are booked to sail on special 2018 cruises. They will rotate original recipes on ship menus throughout the year.
The first James Beard 2018 cruise is "Icons of Southeast Asia," a 14-day trip from Hong Kong to Bangkok on Star Legend, embarking on January 20. It features 2-time James Beard award-winner Andy Ricker, celebrated Thai cuisine chef popular for his trendy Pok-Pok restaurants in Portland, Oregon and New York. Each night, he will serve nearly 300 cruisers a signature dish in Star Legend's AmphorA dining room, and will also host private cooking demonstration.
The special nightly menus are included at no additional charge.