Crystal Cruises' 8th Annual Wine
& Food Festival Spotlights Award-Winning International Talent on 16 Worldwide Voyages
2004 Culinary Cruises Feature Leaders of
Cuisine, Masters of Wine
And the Best Young Chefs of Italy
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- In
what is fast becoming one of the
culinary world's most recognized events, Crystal Cruises' 8th Annual Wine &
Food Festival is attracting the attention of an international roster of
acclaimed chefs and wine experts representing both hot new talent and
established masters.
On 16 voyages in 2004, prestigious names
such as world-renowned Master
Chef Anton Mosimann of London's Chateau Mosimann-Private Dining Club, alumni
of Food & Wine magazine's Best New Chefs -- Campanile's Nancy Silverton,
Popina's Randy Lewis, The Village Pub's Mark Sullivan -- and celebrated chefs
from The Leading Hotels of the World -- One Aldwych Hotel's Mark Gregory,
Orchid Restaurant's Darryl Fujita, and Andrea Manzoni of Florence's Hotel
Regency -- join an award-winning team of chefs and noted wine aficionados
aboard Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
As the luxury line prepares to host its annual event, some of the most
respected names in wine, such as Master of Wine John Clevely, former managing
director of Veuve Cliquot/U.K.; David Stevens, first president of the Masters
of Wine Institute; Andrea Fulton, winery sommelier at Justin Winery in Paso
Robles, CA; and, Robin Kelly O'Conner, U.S. Liaison for the Bordeaux Wine
Bureau, among others, will share their expertise and passion for wine,
offering personal and professional insight into the world's best vintages.
The 2004 Wine & Food Festival features repeat performances by celebrated
experts of gastronomy, including culinary icon Andre Soltner, former
owner/chef of one of America's best restaurants, New York's Lutece; Hawaiian
star chef Sam Choy, chef/owner of Diamond Head restaurant; and author Leslie
Sbrocco, wine journalist for New York Times Online and the San Francisco
Chronicle -- all onboard to inspire guests with their knowledge and passion
for food and wine with special menus, exclusive tastings, and insightful
lectures and demonstrations.
"We are thrilled and honored to once again have attracted the attention of
the world's leaders in cuisine and wine," says Toni Neumeister, Crystal's vice
president, food and beverage operations. "Each year, this event is received
with increased anticipation not only by our discerning clientele, but also by
our own culinary team as it affords them a unique opportunity to learn new
techniques and styles, while being on the cutting edge of restaurant trends."
Consider, for example, Crystal Serenity's 12-day "Iberian Sunsets" from
London to Athens departing May 13, with Rino Pennucci, executive chef of
Relais Le Jardin restaurant at Florence's Hotel Regency, nominated as best
hotel restaurant by the Touring Guide, and Don Hewiston, proprietor of Cork &
Bottle Wind Bar in London, wine book author and journalist.
Crystal Harmony's 12-day "Alaskan Majesty" cruise roundtrip from San
Francisco departing June 11 promises exclusive insights into what has been
described as the "poshest pub around" when San Francisco Bay-area's own Mark
Sullivan, executive chef at the award-winning The Village Pub, teams up with
pub owner and wine director, Tim Stannard. Brooke Vosika, executive chef of
New York's famed Four Seasons Hotel who was recently named one of the top
chefs in the U.S. by France's highly acclaimed Bocuse D'Or competition, and
David Gordon, sommelier of New York's Tribeca Grill, and producer/distributor
of Bacchus and Jeanne Marie wines, join Crystal Symphony's "Autumn
Spectacular," an 11-day journey from New York to Montreal departing September
20.
During each cruise, guests will be treated to a specially prepared
four-course dinner featuring each chef's signature dishes utilizing the
sailing region's freshest ingredients, matched with wine pairings by the guest
wine expert. The menu, showcasing an appetizer; soup, salad or pasta;
seafood/fish and meat entrees; and dessert, is offered to all guests in the
Crystal Dining Room. By day, the visiting chef will also demonstrate cooking
techniques, share recipes and tips, and participate in question and answer
sessions.
Crystal's master sommeliers and other guest wine experts will lead guests
through wine tastings to enjoy and compare appellations, vintages and
varietals; learn the history of wine in the regions sailed; receive valuable
hints on choosing and pairing wines, and become more familiar with Crystal's
cellar of more than 200 selections, one of the most extensive at sea. These
tastings feature the renowned Riedel Tasting Glass, which allows guests to
evaluate different wines in a short period of time, while improving several
aspects of judging wine.
"Our Wine & Food Festival cruises present such a positive experience for
all involved -- from the guests to the visiting chefs to the Crystal culinary
team," Neumeister continues. "Our clientele is treated to exclusive meals
shared by some of the world's most celebrated names in cuisine, our visiting
chefs have an opportunity to explore the world, and our own award-winning
culinary staff reaps the benefit of continuing education under the tutelage of
innovative experts."
In addition to the Wine & Food Festival cruises, Crystal continues on its
worldwide journey to advance the culinary arts, leading the way with
innovative programs such as its recently announced "Best Young Chefs of
Italy," a collaborative effort with long-time partner Piero Selvaggio,
proprietor of the acclaimed Valentino restaurants. Crystal welcomes the
future stars of the culinary world -- such as Walter Ferreto, the hot new
talent at Il Ristorante Albergo, Il Cascinolenuovo and Pisterna in Italy's
Piedmont region, and Ciccio Sultano of Sicily's famed Duomo Restaurant -- on
board to work alongside its own chefs to create exclusive menus featured
seasonally at Selvaggio's "Valentino at Prego," the Italian specialty
restaurant aboard Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
Crystal's devotion to cuisine is further evidenced by its alliances with
some of the world's most celebrated names in food, wine and hospitality --
Nobu Matsuhisa brings his legendary cuisine to the aptly-named "Sushi Bar" and
"Silk Road Restaurant" aboard Crystal Serenity; and Wolfgang Puck's acclaimed
Santa Monica-based restaurant, Chinois on Main, is showcased at "Jade Garden,"
the intimate Asian specialty restaurant aboard Crystal Symphony.
Crystal's three sister ships -- the 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Harmony
and Crystal Symphony and the 1,080-guest, 68,000-ton Crystal Serenity -- are
among the most spacious and luxurious vessels cruising the world. Their
unique size in the luxury market allows for smooth sailing and a wide range of
innovative facilities, generous amenities and elegant accommodations. The
Six-Star rated liners feature grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in
accordance with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities,
complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, Asian and Italian specialty
restaurants, the only Caesars Palace at Sea Casino afloat, and the popular
Computer University@Sea, offering 24-hour e-mail and internet access, as well
as hands-on instruction, expansive decks, two pools, award-winning cuisine and
entertainment, and exquisitely appointed staterooms, more than half of which
offer private verandahs.
The luxury liners have won the travel industry's most distinguished
hospitality awards and guidebook ratings, including the best large-ship line
award in the most recent readers' surveys conducted by Conde Nast Traveler and
Travel + Leisure magazines.
Crystal Cruises is booked exclusively through professional travel agents.
For a complimentary copy of the 2004 Cruise Atlas and a Wine& Food Festival
brochure, call 800.820.6663. Visit the website: http://www.crystalcruises.com .
Please note: Following is Crystal Cruises
2004 Wine & Food Festival
schedule. Guest chefs and wine experts are subject to change.
Crystal Cruises' 2004 Wine & Food
Festival
Crystal Harmony
January 24 Hawaii 10 days round-trip
Honolulu
February 3 Hawaii 10 days round-trip Honolulu
February 13 Hawaii 10 days round-trip Honolulu
June 11 Alaska/Canada 12 days round-trip San Francisco
June 23 Alaska/Canada 12 days round-trip San Francisco
September 3 Alaska/Canada 12 days round-trip San Francisco
Crystal Symphony
May 23 Baltic 11 days London to Stockholm
July 8 British Isles 11 days London to Paris
September 20 Canada/USA 11 days New York to Montreal
Crystal Serenity
January 19 World Cruise 26 days Los
Angeles to Yokohama
February 15 World Cruise 22 days Yokohama to Singapore
March 8 World Cruise 29 days Singapore to Cape Town
April 6 World Cruise 29 days Cape Town to New York
May 13 Mediterranean 12 days London to Athens
July 25 Mediterranean 12 days Venice to Rome
August 18 Mediterranean 12 days Barcelona to Venice
For more information, please contact Mimi
Weisband of Crystal Cruises,
+1-310-203-4305, publicrelations@crystalcruises.com .
SOURCE Crystal Cruises
Web Site: http://www.crystalcruises.com
