Windstar Cruises Presents the James Beard Foundation Collection in 2016

Award-Winning Small Ship Cruise Line Partners with Venerable Non-Profit to Bring Top Culinary Programming On Board Select Sailings

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) October 29, 2015

Windstar Cruises is proud to partner with the James Beard Foundation to offer guests an elevated culinary experience aboard three themed cruises in 2016. Dubbed “The James Beard Foundation Collection,” this bespoke portfolio of sailings designed for food and wine aficionados will bring Windstar guests closer to the culture of their destination by allowing them to experience the best of each port with the most delicious and sumptuous tastes of the region.

Each sailing in the James Beard Foundation Collection will include a James Beard-featured chef, who will serve as the on board culinary ambassador for guests offering cooking demonstrations, a nightly featured dish, and ample opportunities for one-on-one interaction. A full line up of host chefs and associated wine experts selected for each cruise will be announced in January 2016 at an event at the James Beard House in New York City.

The 2016 James Beard Foundation Collection by Windstar itineraries include:

• James Beard Foundation Culinary Cruise of Southern Spain & Morocco: April 24, 2016 – This eight day voyage aboard the Wind Surf sails from Lisbon to Barcelona, docking in Tangier, Morocco before sailing in Spain with stops in Málaga, Granada, Cartagena, Ibiza, and Tarragona. Spanish tapas, luscious jamon, Moroccan tagines, outstanding tempranillos, and rich riojas are a few highlights for guests to taste along with their James Beard-selected host chef, who will provide two cooking demonstrations, a nightly featured dish, and a trip to a local market or culinary outing. Guests will also enjoy five complimentary regional wine tasting sessions on board; three regional wines with each dinner; two food & wine themed shore excursions; an onboard Flamenco show; and the expertise of a knowledgeable sommelier on board, who will lecture periodically on local vintners and offerings specifically from Spain.
• James Beard Foundation Culinary Cruise of Spain & France: June 10 and August 9, 2016 – This 10 day voyage aboard the Star Legend sails from Dublin to Lisbon in June and from Lisbon to Dublin in August, stopping in Saint-Malo, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux (overnight) in France; Gijon and El Ferrol in Spain; and finally Porto in Portugal. Seafood from Galicia, sweet port in Porto, cognac in La Rochelle, and world-famous wines in Bordeaux are a few gastronomic stars of the journey. The James Beard -selected host chef will provide two cooking demonstrations on board, a nightly featured dish, and a trip to a local market or hosted culinary outing. These cruises also include complimentary pre-dinner wine tastings with cheese and tapas daily; two food & wine themed shore excursions; a regional cooking demonstration at a chateau in Bordeaux; an onboard fado performance in Porto; as well as an expert wine specialist on board throughout the voyage to guide guests through their tastings.

“It’s very important to us at Windstar to expose our guests to local culture and cuisine throughout their time on board, creating a more intimate connection to the world around them, so partnering with one of the most respected culinary organizations in the world is a natural fit,” said Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises’ chief executive officer. “Our new James Beard Foundation Collection takes Windstar’s commitment to local food culture a step further and is perfect for any traveler who approaches a new destination with their next meal in mind.”

“We are delighted to partner with Windstar in 2016 to bring together the expertise of three James Beard recognized chefs with the cruise line’s fantastic culinary itineraries through Spain, Morocco, and France,” said Kris Moon, Vice President of the James Beard Foundation. “Guests will have the special opportunity to enjoy the cultural delights of these amazing locations in the company of some of our country’s most accomplished chefs.”

Windstar is also donating a cruise for two as a silent auction package for the JBF Gala: New York, New York in November, 2015. In addition to those attending the event, the cruise will be available for bidding online beginning October 27 and continuing through the event on November 13. The cruise can be found at http://www.501auctions.com/.

For more information, including rates and itineraries, contact a travel professional or call Windstar at 800.258.7245, or visit http://www.windstarcruises.com.

About Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises operates a fleet of small luxury cruise ships known for its intimate yacht style experience and unique voyages to the world’s best small ports and hidden harbors. Its three recently renovated sailing yachts carry just 148 to 310 guests and cruise to 50 nations, calling at 150 ports throughout Europe, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, and Central America. In May 2014, Star Pride, the first of three newly acquired power yachts, joined the fleet. In May 2015 the company launched Star Breeze and Star Legend. The power yachts, with a capacity of 212 guests each, double the size of Windstar’s fleet, making the company the market leader in small ship cruising with 300 or fewer passengers, with a total of 1,242 berths. Windstar Cruises is a part of Xanterra Parks & Resorts®, which is known for its “Legendary Hospitality with a Softer Footprint,” Xanterra’s entities include lodges, restaurants, tours and activities in national and state parks, as well as resorts, a cruise line, railway and tour companies.

About the James Beard Foundation (JBF):
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation celebrates, nurtures, and honors America's diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, the late James Beard was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful, and delicious food. Today JBF continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships for culinary students, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org. Get food news, recipes, and more at the James Beard Foundation’s blog. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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