Master Chef's Dinner Best Culinary Secret Afloat

Krazy Kruizers

Holland America Specialist
Rudi Sodamin Named Top Chef in Cruise Industry and Master Chef’s Dinner Best Culinary Secret Afloat by Porthole Cruise Magazine


Seattle, Wash., Feb. 14, 2011 – Holland America Line’s Culinary Consultant Rudi Sodamin was named Best Cruise Line Chef by Porthole Cruise Magazine in its February 2011 issue. The award recognizes Sodamin’s dedication, innovative approach and unique contributions to the culinary arts at sea.

Additionally, Sodamin’s new Master Chef’s Dinner in the Pinnacle Grill was named Best Culinary Secret Afloat by the publication.
Chosen annually by Editor-in-Chief Bill Panoff, the Porthole Awards are a selection of his current favorites from the cruise and travel industries. Sodamin joins an elite list that includes Steiner Leisure for best on-board spa operators and Micato Safaris for best African safari tour operator.
"Rudi’s culinary contributions to Holland America Line and the industry as a whole have paved the way for exciting new concepts and a forward-thinking approach to cruising cuisine,†said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. “Because of Rudi’s professionalism and dedication, we’ve been able to step outside the box and transform our culinary operation into a highly regarded experience. We are proud of Rudi and he certainly has earned this recognition.â€
The new Master Chef’s Dinner in the Pinnacle Grill recently debuted aboard the line’s newest ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, and represents the diversity of Holland America Line’s unique culinary experience. The evening features a seven-course dining experience for up to 18 guests, with each course personally delivered by a special culinary expert who serves as the gracious dinner host. The uniforms and menus were designed to resemble an elegant chef jacket that embodies the theme of the dinner and experience. Each meal is enhanced with wine pairings specially selected by the ship’s sommelier and the elegant table is set with signature Versace china.
“Master Chef’s Dinner is a culinary journey that highlights Holland America Line’s fine culinary expertise and the creativity and passion of artisan and Master Chef Rudi,†added Meadows.
Sodamin is internationally recognized as a food authority and one of the hospitality industry's most innovative chefs who has directed the evolution of fine dining and unique menu options at Holland America Line through his role as culinary consultant. The award-winning Tamarind, for example, is a pan-Asian restaurant with traditional and eclectic offerings on ms Eurodam and ms Nieuw Amsterdam.
His ideas have been instrumental in the development of Holland America Line’s interactive culinary-arts program on board as well. Sodamin also chairs Holland America Line’s Culinary Council, which recently was formed to enrich the premium line’s culinary program and is composed of international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Jacques Torres, Charlie Trotter and Marcus Samuelsson.
Sodamin is the author of numerous internationally published cookbooks, including “Seduction & Spice†(Rizzoli, 2000) and Holland America Line’s “A Taste of Excellence†(Rizzoli, 2007), “A Taste of Elegance†(Rizzoli, 2009) and “A Taste of Celebration†(Rizzoli, 2010). Sodamin belongs to the Academy Culinaire de France, Master Chef Society and Club de Chefs des Chefs.
For more information and cruise fares, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit Cruises, Cruise Ship Deals, Travel Cruises - Holland America Line.
Editor’s note: Photos are available at: http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/W1b2w-QMb-gs7.

- www.hollandamerica.com -
 

ShipMaven

Forever Remembered
Re: Master Chef's Dinner Best Cukinary Secret Afloat

The meal would be fine if they cut out the theatrics with it. Perhaps it's their way of getting the guests to try one of the alternate dining venues that evening.
 

Krazy Kruizers

Holland America Specialist
Re: Master Chef's Dinner Best Cukinary Secret Afloat

mary ann

this master chef dinner that is being talked about is the new one that was introduced on the nieuw amsterdam -- held in the back room of the pinnaclr grill - limited to 18 people and is a spcecial menu for $75 per person which includes wine
 

ShipMaven

Forever Remembered
Re: Master Chef's Dinner Best Cukinary Secret Afloat

So I now notice!

I attended such a dinner when they first offered it several years ago in Volendam's Pinnacle Grill, pairing wines with the various dinner courses. This is similar to Crystal's Vintage Room, except that the Vintage Room IS a separate room for these special meals.
 

Krazy Kruizers

Holland America Specialist
Re: Master Chef's Dinner Best Cukinary Secret Afloat

yes -- it sounds like several of the older versions of the sommelier dinners, etc. that we went to in the past

just a cgange of name and menu
 

bob

Community Manager Part Time Dinosaur
Staff member
If it isn't cooked by big Rudi himself then it's just another dinner..........
 

sage

Staff Captain
We attended the Master Chef's dinner on the Noordam in February. It was a delightful affair held in the Culinary Arts center. They only accomodated 20 guests, so one must sign up early if interested. It was cooked by the Chef, and one could go up and see what he was doing, and ask questions. He told us about each dish as he prepared it. The menu for the night was as follows:

Amuse
Pommes Tsarina
Mandarin Vodka

Passionfruit Baked Shrimp on a bed of arugula salad
Eroica Riesling

Lobster Ravioli with an infused lemon fennel sauce
Blackstone Sauvignon Blanc

Poached Fig balsamic reduction

Veal Scallopini layered with roasted red peppers, avacado and camembert cheese
Pommard, France

Chef's Tiramisu
Frangeleco

It was followed by Brandy and cheese in the Explorer's Club. The dinner was delicous and the Chef most gracious to sit and chat with the guest following each presentation. A truly delightful evening that I look forward to again on the next sailing.
 

Krazy Kruizers

Holland America Specialist
even though we weren't able to go to the one on the nieuw amsterdam -- i did have a copy of the menu -- don't have it now -- but it was a different menu

looks as though the menu will vary by ship
 

sage

Staff Captain
Yes, I believe it does vary, as on the Volendam, where we actually ate around the bar where the Chef cooked, we had a completely different menu. The Volendam had a limit of 12 people for dinner. By far, the Chef's dinner were the best meals on the ship.
 

Krazy Kruizers

Holland America Specialist
back in 2008 when we sailed on the westerdam -- they introduced this chef table -- price was $125 per person -- limited to 12 people -- 3 tables of 4 -- and they were not able to sell it out
 

sage

Staff Captain
Both of the dinners were sold out the first day, so maybe the word is getting around. Perhaps it also has something to do with the length of the cruise. We really enjoy them and look forward to attending more if offered. We also enjoyed the cooking classes offered.
 
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