Holland America invited Short Order aboard the ms Noordam a few weeks ago to meet its new Culinary Council. We nearly plotzed after discovering that meant having lunch with David Burke, Charlie Trotter, Jacques Torres, Jonnie Boer, and council chairman Rudi Sodamin, also the cruise line's consulting master chef. Holland claims it is the first to assemble a group like this with the intent of improving its menus, giving guests opportunities to interact with their favorite toques, and adding just some all-around cred to the culinary offerings.
The world-famous chefs (along with Marcus Samuelsson who, regrettably, was a no-show) were invited to contribute 10 of their recipes to the line's ever-cycling menus and they'll be expected to eventually hop aboard to lead some demos and teach classes.