Culinary Cruises — Atlas Cooks Up Epicurean Expeditions

Culinary Cruises with Atlas

By Anne Kalosh

Atlas Ocean Voyages, a young company known for its polar expeditions, also cruises in Europe where the destination-rich itineraries are designed as “epicurean expeditions.”

These culinary cruises complement the line’s nature/wildlife/adventure-oriented Arctic and Antarctica expeditions.

Epicurean expeditions will take place from April through October aboard the 198-passenger sister ships World Navigator and World Traveller.

Passengers can immerse themselves in the gastronomy of European ports on culinary shore excursions and learn from guest chefs and sommeliers who will be onboard to enrich the experience.

Guest chefs will also accompany the line’s complimentary culinary-focused cultural immersion tours.

“We specialize in expeditions that provide insights, indulge the senses and inspire discussion among like-minded travelers,” said James Rodriguez, Atlas president and CEO. “With the addition of our new epicurean expeditions, discerning explorers can now truly immerse themselves in the culinary culture of European ports, while cruising aboard a luxury yacht.”

Culinary Cruises with Atlas on World Navigator and Traveller

The epicurean expeditions take place on the European itineraries of World Navigator, here, and sister ship World Traveller. * Photo: Atlas Ocean Voyages

Visiting Vintners & Gastronomic Guests on Atlas’s Culinary Cruises

Epicurean expeditions will feature a “visiting vintner,” who may conduct a lecture and tasting to explain the subtleties of regional wines, from an aged Nebbiolo to a Beaujolais nouveau.

And aboard every trip, a “gastronomic guest” might be a renowned chef with a history of cooking at Michelin-starred venues or a local culinary rock star skilled in authentic, regional delicacies.

Yachtsman Cookoff, a Fun Highlight of Atlas’s Culinary Cruises

In addition to demonstrations and interactive cooking classes, the gastronomic guest will participate, along with the ship’s executive or sous chef, in the Yachtsman Cookoff – the Atlas version of a culinary “Ironman” competition.

They also will accompany the cultural immersion shore excursion that’s included in the fare of every epicurean expedition.

Depending on the itinerary, travelers might sample tapas in Barcelona, explore a farmer’s market in Corsica or shop for chocolates and wine in Cinque Terre.

Three of the gastronomic guests announced so far are Chef Rudi Scholdis, former Bon Appétit editor Mara Papatheodorou and “Top Chef Brazil” winner Luciana Berry.

Chef Rudi Scholdis — One of the Gastronomic Guests

Scholdis has cooked alongside world-class culinary stars, including Alain Ducasse and Charlie Trotter, and learned from lifelong mentors Willy Elsner and Anton Mosimann. He’s prepared meals for Queen Elizabeth II, President Bill Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hollywood and West End stars.

Chef Scholdis owns two of Chile’s top gourmet restaurants: Amandine Bistro et Vins in Santiago and Casa de Amalia, which opened last year in the Maule wine-producing region. He was with Silversea Cruises for 16 years, 10 as culinary director.

Chef Rudi Scholdis hosts several culinary cruises for Atlas

Chef Rudi Scholdis will be the gastronomic guest aboard several cruises throughout the European season. * Photo: Atlas Ocean Voyages

The Belgian-born Scholdis has a proud history of cooking at Michelin-starred venues in Europe, including serving as head chef at The Dorchester, a London landmark. He began his career at the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, a three-Michelin-star hotel and restaurant on the Côte d’Azur, then worked at Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, the five-star celebrity retreat high in the Swiss Alps.

“Ship size is very important in Europe,” Scholdis said. “It’s wonderful to cruise on a yacht and dock in the city center so you can walk down the gangway to a local market or café.”

Scholdis will be aboard World Traveller from April 15 to May 31 and July 15 to Aug. 15, and will join World Navigator in September and October.

Food Writer & Editor Mara Papatheodorou is Another Gastronomic Guest

Papatheodorou, an editor for Bon Appétit magazine for 12 years, scouted and produced the “Entertaining with Style” section that highlighted how real people entertain around the world. She was the producer of the magazine’s annual international Special Collector’s Editions that highlight Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Mediterranean islands and the British Isles.

Prior to Bon Appétit, Papatheodorou was based in London as a columnist for the European edition of W and Harpers & Queen. She is the author of the coffee table book “Moments in Time, the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa,” a contributor to National Geographic Traveler magazine and a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and Les Dames d’Escoffier.

Papatheodorou will be aboard eight World Navigator cruises: May 29; June 1, 4, 17 and 30; and July 10, 19 and 28.

Culinary Cruises with Atlas feature Mara Papatheodorou

Former Bon Appétit editor Mara Papatheodorou is booked as the gastronomic guest aboard eight epicurean expeditions. * Photo: Atlas Ocean Voyages

Brazilian Chef Luciana Berry Also on the Gastronomic Guest Menu

“Top Chef Brazil” winner Berry is a current contestant on Season 20 “Top Chef: World All-Stars” on the Bravo network. Hailing from Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, Berry moved to London in 2004 to attend college. There she shared her favorite Brazilian dishes with classmates, which fueled her passion for cooking.

Berry runs her own catering company, Catering on the Hill, and a cooking sauce brand, BerryBartt. She also serves as an ambassador of Brazilian cuisine in Europe, showcasing the ingredients that are integral to Brazilian cuisine and teaching the next generation of chefs at West London College and Langley College.

Berry will accompany World Navigator’s May 14 and May 21 cruises and said: “We will visit local markets to shop for fresh ingredients then prepare something delicious back on board the ship.”

Luciana Berry, who’s competing in the current season of “Top Chef World All-Stars,” will be aboard two cruises. * Photo: Atlas Ocean Voyages

For a Limited Time, Enjoy Two Free Excursions

All the epicurean expeditions’ excursions have a culinary or wine element but only one per cruise is complimentary.

For a limited time, Atlas is offering two free excursions as a promotion in connection with three early-season culinary cruises:

Depending on the itinerary, participants may discover the history of Portugal’s pastel de nata pastry, savor Madeira at a wine tasting in Madeira or sample local vintages at a famous cellar near the San Antonio Volcano.

Special Onboard Dining Experiences

Epicurean expeditions also include the Atlas Heritage Dining Experience and Josper Grill Dining Experience for no additional charge in the ships’ two open-air specialty dining venues.

Alma means “soul” in Portuguese. Alma Alfresco is the outdoor area aft of the main restaurant. The Atlas Heritage Dining Experience showcases Portugal’s culinary soul with recipes passed down for generations and prepared using artisanal techniques. Selections may include bacalhau a bras (shredded, salted cod with potatoes, olives, onions and eggs) from Lisbon or torta de Azeitão (egg custard rolled in pastry) from Setúbal.

After serving a casual lunch poolside, 7-AFT Grill transforms into a chophouse by night. There, fine cuts of steak and fresh seafood are seared on a Josper grill. Steaks at the Josper Grill Dining Experience may include Black Angus filet mignon, New York strip or a 35-ounce tomahawk, also known as cowboy ribeye. Non-beef selections may include lamb, shrimp, lobster and vegetarian dishes.

World Traveller's 7-AFT Grill is a setting for the culinary adventures offered on Europe cruises

World Traveller’s 7-AFT Grill transforms into a chophouse by night that features steaks and seafood seared on a Josper grill. * Photo: Atlas Ocean Voyages

Look for a Quirky Review Soon

I’m looking forward to experiencing an epicurean expedition in the Mediterranean in May aboard World Traveller in the good company of fellow Quirky Cruise contributor Peter Knego.

We’ll let you know what we think! (And what we eat!)

Our culinary cruise sails from Barcelona (where the ship is in port overnight) to Roses, Spain, then to four ports in France (Sete, Cassis, Saint-Tropez and Saint-Raphael) before ending at Nice. A great itinerary packed with destinations known for their cultural and culinary appeal.