Windstar extended its partnership with culinary organization James Beard Foundation with additional 3 years.
The partnership places foundation-selected chefs and mixologists/sommeliers on 6 sailings per year across the fleet of Windstar. The cruises feature special beverage and culinary tastings, culinary-themed shore trips and market tours led by ship's chef. Nightly dinners feature a starter, entree and dessert, all created by the chef.
Windstar revealed it was "expanding the breadth and diversity of culinary offerings with daily activities on board, new dining menus, enhanced beverage selections and foodie-focused opportunities."
This program started in 2016, and in 2017 Windstar became the official cruise line of James Beard Foundation. As such, it is involved in a number of the organization's endeavors, like James Beard Awards in Chicago and JBF Taste America events, that take place in a variety of U.S. cities and feature fundraising dinners, tastings, culinary demos.
2018 cruise lineup so far includes NY-based chef Anthony Sasso of La Sirena along with wine expert Ashely Santoro of Standard and Narcissa, who sail aboard Wind Surf in June on the "Spanish Symphony" itinerary; onboard Star Breeze's "Norwegian Splendors" sailing in August will be Evan Hanczor of Egg in Brooklyn, N.Y.; onboard Wind Spirit in Tahiti in November will be San Francisco-based pastry chef Emily Luchetti of Marlowe, Park Tavern and Cvalier along with beverage expert Shelley Lindgren of A16 & SPQR; and onboard Star Pride in December will be Jose Mendin of Pubbelly Boys and FCGH restaurant groups offering Puerto Rican cuisine.