Savor the Destination
The best meals don’t begin in the kitchen. They begin in the market, at the dock, in the vineyard, and around the tables where locals gather.
As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar brings acclaimed guest chefs onboard select culinary voyages to explore a destination through its ingredients, traditions, and local flavors. From market visits and cooking demonstrations to special dinners, each experience connects what’s on the plate to the places we sail.
And their influence stays onboard. Featured dishes from our guest chefs remain on Windstar menus after their sailing, giving future guests the chance to experience their culinary point of view.
Because the most memorable part of dinner isn’t just what’s on the plate. It’s the story of where it came from.
MORE FROM THE WINDSTAR TABLE
Inside a James Beard Foundation Voyage
Chef Gabriel Kreuther and the Deauville Strawberry Behind a Wine Mousse
At the market in Deauville, Normandy, Chef Gabriel Kreuther, James Beard Award winner® for Best Chef: New York City and four-time nominee, bought Mara des Bois strawberries directly from the grower. Not too big, red throughout and juicy, they had the flavor he says, “brings you back to probably the best strawberry you ever had.” Back aboard Windstar, they finished the wine mousse for his second cooking demonstration of the James Beard Foundation culinary voyage.
A Taste of What's Ahead
Taste
Enjoy dishes from your guest chef alongside favorites from past guest chefs, served nightly in Amphora.
Explore Culinary Voyages
Treasures of the Greek Isles
CHEF ROEL ALCUDIA
The "freestyle Greek" talent behind House of Stefas — sails with you the entire voyage, hosting an exclusive dinner among the ruins of Ancient Thira above Santorini's caldera. Mykonos, Patmos and Nafplio round out the week.
JULY 13–20, 2027 · WIND SURF
Maori Storytellers & French Polynesian Treasures
CHEF FELIX TAI
JBF Legacy Network alum Felix Tai — Executive Chef of Hawaii's Polynesian Cultural Center and a leading voice for traditional imu-pit, hot-rock cooking — sails with you the entire voyage, hosting a Windstar-exclusive imu feast on the sand in Bora Bora.
SEPTEMBER 5-16, 2027 · STAR BREEZE
Aegean Sea Odyssey via the Corinth Canal
CHEF CARA TOBIN
2025 James Beard Award nominee® for Outstanding Restaurateur and the three-time semifinalist behind Burlington's Honey Road — sails with you the entire voyage, hosting a Windstar-exclusive dinner in Kusadasi, gateway to the ancient columns of Ephesus.
SEPT 8–16, 2027 · STAR LEGEND
Enchanting Greece and the Amalfi Coast
CHEF CODY HOGAN
Executive Chef of Lidia’s Kansas City and Chez Panisse alum — sails with you the entire voyage. Explore Greece’s seaside towns, Amalfi’s lemon groves and the Adriatic’s flavors — rooted in the simple, seasonal cooking he’s championed throughout his career.
OCT 14-21, 2027 · WIND SURF
East Asian Legends
CHEF CHRISTINE LAU
The NYT-praised chef behind Kimika NYC, sails with you the entire voyage, hosting a dinner in Hong Kong's harbor. Kobe, Okinawa, Taipei and Halong Bay round out the ten days.
NOV 4–14, 2027 · STAR SEEKER
James Beard Foundation Culinary Collection
These once-in-a-lifetime culinary events feature some of the top chefs and upcoming talent.
James Beard Foundation: Treasures of the Greek Isles
James Beard Foundation & Wine Cruise: Maori Storytellers & French Polynesian Treasures
James Beard Foundation: Aegean Sea Odyssey via the Corinth Canal
James Beard Foundation: Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast
James Beard Foundation & Wine Cruise: East Asian Legends
Sail with Our Guest Chefs. Past chefs have included:
Chef Renee Erickson
The Whale Wins, Bateau, The Walrus and the Carpenter, Westward, Bar Melusine, The Barnacle Bar, Willmott's Ghost, Bistro Shirless, Deep Dive, General Porpoise
Seattle, WA
Paul Berlund
José Mendín
Jennifer Hill Booker