Holland America Line's Culinary Council Meets In Fort Lauderdale

The Maritime Executive enjoyed meeting these distinguised culinary masters on the M/S NOORDAM

Holland America Line’s Culinary Council held its first meeting last week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and then gathered for a luncheon aboard ms Noordam. The Council, which recently was formed to enrich all aspects of Holland America Line’s culinary offerings, is composed of Council Chairman and Holland America Line’s Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, along with renowned international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Jacques Torres, Charlie Trotter and Marcus Samuelsson.

The Culinary Council met to share insights on the line’s menus and Culinary Arts Center enrichment program, as well as to coordinate their personal dishes that will be featured in dining venues across the fleet later this year. The group also had the opportunity to tour Noordam’s galley and were able to observe the ship’s culinary operation. A media luncheon hosted by Holland America Line President and CEO Stein Kruse, along with the chefs, concluded their time on board.

The Council is slated to meet regularly with Holland America Line executives to provide guidance on the line’s culinary initiatives.

Holland America Line is known for its innovative and leading programming and partnerships, providing guests with a premium and enriching cruise experience. The line has garnered numerous accolades and awards and is consistently among the highest-rated cruise lines in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards, Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards and Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Travel Awards. In addition, Culinary Council Chairman Rudi Sodamin was named Best Cruise Line Master Chef by Porthole Cruise Magazine and is a member of the Academy Culinaire de France, Maîtres Cuisiners de France and Honorary Member Club des Chefs des Chefs.