CALIFORNIA'S CULINARY ICONS & MASTER SOMMELIERS SPRINKLE STAR POWER ON CRYSTAL CRUISES' WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
Bradley Ogden, Govind Armstrong, David and Michelle Myers and
Seven of the State's Best Known Wine Experts Confirmed to Participate
In Ninth Annual Culinary Showcase
LOS ANGELES - April 12, 2005 - The hottest names headlining California's innovative culinary scene take to sea this summer and fall aboard Crystal Cruises' award-winning ships as part of the luxury cruise line's annual Wine & Food Festival. Master chef Bradley Ogden, rising star Govind Armstrong, and cutting-edge gourmand David Myers with wife, pastry chef Michelle Myers, are confirmed to host cruises this year, treating guests to four-course dinners of signature dishes, and sharing favorite recipes and cooking techniques during daytime demonstrations.
Now in its ninth year, Crystal's Wine & Food Festival has gained international acclaim as an excellent platform to showcase the hottest and most respected names in food as well as wine. From San Francisco to Los Angeles, seven of California's favorite sommeliers have been tapped to impart their expertise, including: Keith Fergel, Leslie Sbrocco, Richard Dean, Jerad Ruhl, Paul Einbund, Jeff Morgenthal, and Christian Moueix.
"It is both an honor and a privilege to have the most celebrated names in cuisine and wine aboard our ships to work alongside our own award-winning professional chefs and sommeliers," says Toni Neumeister, vice president, food and beverage operations. "The caliber of talent we continue to draw year after year speaks to Crystal's commitment to showcase the culinary arts with the added benefit of providing our guests with enriching and exclusive experiences."
Of the 15 dedicated Wine & Food Festival itineraries, seven spotlight the talents of California's finest culinary experts - and four of these feature convenient, close-to-home departures round-trip from San Francisco or Los Angeles. Fares quoted below are per person, based on double occupancy.
Crystal's Wine & Food Festival: 2005 California Showcase
§ Named 'Best California Chef' by the James Beard Foundation, Bradley Ogden acclaimed Lark Creek Inn in Marin County has earned him the distinction as a 'Great American Chef' from the International Wine and Food Society, and recognition as 'Chef of the Year'
by the Culinary Institute of America, among others. He is joined by another Bay area favorite, Keith Fergel, former sommelier at Napa Valley's celebrated French Laundry and current Wine Director at Fifth Floor Restaurant, regarded by many as San Francisco's best French restaurant.
September 3-15; Crystal Harmony, 12 days round-trip San Francisco; calling at Victoria, British Columbia; Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, the Inside Passage, and Glacier Bay, Alaska. Fares from $2,595.
§ A protégé of Wolfgang Puck, Govind Armstrong's hot new Table 8 in Los Angeles attracts a progressive clientele and has earned him awards from the James Beard Foundation among others. Renowned New York Times and San Francisco Chronicle wine journalist Leslie Sbrocco joins this cruise providing insight into wines and adding a touch of whimsy with commentary from her book "Wine for Women."
September 15-27; Crystal Harmony, 12 days round-trip from San Francisco; calling at Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, the Inside Passage, and Glacier Bay, Alaska; Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. Fares from $2,395.
§ With a mission to create a truly transcendent dining experience for guests, owners of the award-winning new Sona Restaurant David and Michelle Myers have been rewarded with one of LA's hottest and hippest restaurants. Master Sommelier Richard Dean, wine director at the Mark Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York, joins the journey.
September 28-October 9; Crystal Symphony, 11 days Montréal to New York; calling at Québec City, Québec (overnight); Halifax, Nova Scotia; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts (overnight); and Newport, Rhode Island. Fares from $3,495.
§ Paul Einbund, wine director at Tartare Restaurant, George Marrone's new high profile establishment in San Francisco, teams up with Gray Kunz, the former four-star chef of New York's legendary Lespinasse whose recently opened Café Gray in the Time-Warner Center is nearly always booked.
May 26-June 6; Crystal Symphony, 11 days Barcelona to London; calling at Cannes and Bordeaux (overnight), France; Gibraltar, UK; Cádiz/Seville, Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal. Fares from $2,995.
§ Jerad Ruhl, wine director at the hip Rose Pistola in San Francisco's North Beach is joined by Canada's award-winning, barbeque-grilling expert Ted Reader, host of the hit television show "King of the Q."
May 30-June 11; Crystal Harmony, 12 days round-trip from San Francisco; calling at
Victoria, British Columbia; Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, the Inside Passage,
Glacier Bay, and Tracy Arm, Alaska. Fares from $2,395.
§ Christian Moueix, president-director general of Jean Pierre Moueix and owner of California's esteemed Dominus Winery, travels with Roberto Donna, owner/chef of Washington, DC's acclaimed Galileo, awarded one of the "10 Best Italian Restaurants in America" by Wine Spectator, and "Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic" by the James Beard Foundation, among others.
August 15-27; Crystal Serenity, 12 days Venice to Athens (overnight); calling at San Marino, Italy; Santorini and Vólos, Greece; Istanbul (overnight) and Kusadasi, Turkey. Fares from $4,915.
§ Master Sommelier Jeff Morganthal, wine director for both Santa Monica's Drago and Beverly Hill's Enoteca Drago restaurants; partners with Jose Garces, executive chef at two of Philadelphia's hottest restaurants - Alma de Cuba and El Vez.
October 5-15; Crystal Harmony, 10 days round-trip Los Angeles; calling at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexcio. Fares from $1,750.
The Crystal Difference
Aboard the luxurious ships of Crystal Cruises, refined elegance meets casual simplicity. With an emphasis on innovative product differentiation, the renowned Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space, extensive choices, and quality, providing worldwide vacations that bridge the best of land and sea. The luxury cruise line is the recipient of an unprecedented nine consecutive 'World's Best' awards from both Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines.
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 in the luxury market. Their unique size 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.
For additional information, please contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the luxury line's website at
www.crystalcruises.com.
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