Windstar Cruises Unveils 2025 Culinary Sailings Featuring James Beard Foundation All-Stars in 10th Anniversary Celebration

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

In 2025, Windstar Cruises, renowned for its premium small-ship voyages, celebrates a decade of collaboration with the James Beard Foundation®. This partnership, a fusion of luxury cruising and culinary excellence, is set to enhance its annual culinary-themed voyages. In honor of this significant anniversary, Windstar is excited to host five eminent “All-Star” chefs onboard, including four who are returning favorites due to their previous memorable engagements with Windstar through this innovative alliance.

The quintet of celebrated chefs comprises Jamilka Borges, José Mendin, Jennifer Hill Booker, Jennifer Jasinski, and newcomer Larry Forgione. They will each infuse the journey with their unique regional flavors and trademark creations.

Windstar proudly holds the title of Official Cruise Line for the James Beard Foundation, an organization dedicated to acknowledging, nurturing, and promoting the individuals shaping America’s culinary landscape. The Foundation’s commitment to culinary excellence, diversity, and sustainability mirrors Windstar’s own dedication to offering authentic, locally-sourced gastronomic experiences aboard its fleet, alongside initiatives aimed at minimizing food wastage.

The collaboration features exclusive sailings where guests can engage closely with these culinary masters. The itineraries include chef-hosted dinners with wine pairings, cooking demonstrations, and local market tours, offering a deeper connection to the culinary arts. Over thirty-five chefs affiliated with the James Beard Foundation have joined Windstar on these enriching journeys since the partnership began.

“We are thrilled to recognize our 10-year partnership with the James Beard Foundation,” said Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “We take pride in the numerous chefs who have sailed with us, shared their stories, and crafted signature dishes – enhancing the culinary experience for all of our guests on Windstar.”

The 2025 lineup of James Beard Foundation-themed cruises is as follows:

• March 15, 2025: Embark on the “Windward Ways & Tobago Cays: Aruba to Bridgetown” cruise for seven days with Chef Jamilka Borges aboard the 312-guest Star Pride. A celebrated chef and owner of Lilith, Borges hails from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has been recognized as a James Beard Award semifinalist and honored by Best Chefs America.
• April 12, 2025: Set sail for eight days from Lisbon to Barcelona on the “Spanish Symphony” voyage with Chef José Mendin on the flagship 342-guest Wind Surf. Mendin, a notable chef and restaurateur, is known for his contributions to Miami’s dining scene and multiple James Beard Award nominations.
• June 29, 2025: Join Chef Jennifer Hill Booker for an 11-day “Baltic Beauty: Stockholm to Copenhagen” cruise aboard the 312-guest Star Legend. Booker’s modern southern cuisine with a French twist has earned her acclaim as a chef, author, and culinary influencer.
• August 27, 2025: Chef Jennifer Jasinski invites you on a 9-day “Adriatic Archipelagos & Greek Goddesses: Venice to Athens” journey on the Wind Surf. Jasinski, a James Beard Award-winning chef, is celebrated for her influential Denver restaurants and appearance on Top Chef Masters.
• October 7, 2025: Experience the “Southeast Canadian Explorations: Montreal to New York” over 12 days with Chef Larry Forgione on the Star Pride. Known as “The Godfather of American Cuisine,” Forgione is a pioneer of the farm-to-table movement and a James Beard Award recipient.

These cruises not only offer a gateway to gourmet excellence but also foster intimate interactions with the chefs, making each voyage a memorable epicurean adventure.

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