Menu Set for Silversea's Culinary Arts Programme

Luxury cruise specialists Silversea Cruises has taken the wraps off a new collection of 10 Culinary Arts theme cruises to be offered this year - featuring some of the world's most celebrated chefs and rising stars.

These unique culinary theme cruises showcase the artistry of award-winning chefs of top dining establishments from around the world, including the internationally acclaimed chefs of Relais & Châteaux, the distinguished international association of charming properties and gourmet restaurants.

Two of these famed chefs will soon team up to host one extraordinary sailing: Silver Shadow's 30-day circumnavigation of Australia. Departing from Sydney January 19, the ship will follow a counterclockwise course around the vast island continent before returning to Sydney on February 18. Joining an expansive enrichment programme on this special voyage are:

George Francisco, executive chef of Jonah's, one of Australia's oldest and most iconic establishments and a Relais & Châteaux member property, who will join the ship Jan 19-25, Sydney to Port Douglas, to host culinary presentations

Mathew Macartney, executive chef of the Yarra Valley's famed Chateau Yering and a Relais & Châteaux member property. He will present cooking demonstrations on the Port Douglas to Darwin segment, January 25-29.

On the Culinary Arts enrichment voyages, celebrity chefs will display their exceptional talents during dynamic and informative cooking demonstrations, where guests can taste and learn first-hand the secrets of enticing signature dishes. These voyages also feature escorted provisioning trips to international markets (when the itinerary permits), food and wine pairings, creative regional dishes and a five-course grand gourmet dinner. Throughout these special sailings, the featured guest chef and Silversea’s executive chef are on hand to share their culinary expertise and answer any questions.

Aboard Silver Shadow's Voyage 3133 (Dec 6-2; Singapore to Sydney), Silversea guests will have the chance to sample the Korean cuisine specialities of Anna Kim, a celebrity chef judge of the LG 'Life Tastes Good' global cooking competition. She apprenticed at world-renowned chef Joël Robuchon's restaurant in Paris and held esteemed positions at Nobu, Gordon Ramsay and the Four Seasons Hotel in the U.S.

And Emanuele Vallini, executive chef of La Carabaccia restaurant, Pisa, Italy, will showcase the slow food concept in a culinary programme for guests aboard Silver Spirit's Voyage 5103 (a World Cruise segment), January 20-Feb 1, Los Angeles to Papeete.

RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX

Further highlighting the roster of Culinary Arts voyages are the following distinguished chefs affiliated with Relais & Châteaux properties from around the globe:

Alois Vanlangenaeker, Il San Pietro Hotel, Positano, Italy
Voyage 4103, Silver Whisper, 5th – 23rd February, Santiago to Fort Lauderdale

Jutamas Theantae, The Eugenia Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
Voyage 5106F, Silver Spirit (World Cruise), 11th – 22nd March, Darwin to Hong Kong

Alec Lomas, The Pavilions Resort, Phuket, Thailand
Voyage 5107, Silver Spirit (World Cruise), 22nd March – 3rd April, Hong Kong to Singapore

Deepak Kumar Rai, Neeleshwar Hermitage Retreat Hotel, Kerala, India
Voyage 5108, Silver Spirit (World Cruise), 3rd – 18th April, Singapore to Dubai

Yannick Upravan, Satri House Hotel, Luang Prabang, Laos
Voyage 3109, Silver Shadow, 7th – 17th May, Shanghai to Tokyo

And two additional voyages in 2011 will bring together an array of yet-to-be-named Relais & Châteaux chefs to host culinary festivals at sea:

"World of Relais & Châteaux," featuring American and European chefs
Voyage 4115, Silver Whisper, 17th – 31st May, New York to Southampton

"World of Relais & Châteaux," featuring American and Asian chefs
Voyage 3128, Silver Shadow, 17th – 31st October, Tokyo to Singapore

Rudi Scholdis, Silversea's Director of Culinary Development, insisted: "Our Culinary Arts voyages are enriching lifestyle experiences offering a great way to travel and learn. Because we're able to bring together so many stellar chefs through our exclusive partnership with Relais & Châteaux, these theme cruises continue to grow in popularity with our guests."

For more info, check out http://www.silversea.com/ or the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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