CRUISE GPS
Celebrating Place
& Plate
Celebrating Place & Plate
Windstar Cruises showcases James Beard flavors and local market cuisine.
Windstar Cruises is elevating epicurean travel with chef-led market tours, seasonal ingredients from each port city, and nightly menus infused with regional soul—all courtesy of a unique James Beard Foundation partnership. At the heart of these Windstar experiences lies a culinary ethos rooted in fresh, seasonal ingredients, with chefs hand‑picking produce at local markets to inspire nightly regional menus.

While the James Beard Foundation hardly needs a primer, a quick refresher: It was created nearly 40 years ago as a way to channel Beard’s passions of the culinary arts. It celebrates food culture and supports the industry through initiatives ranging from diversity to advocacy and beyond. Windstar’s partnership with the James Beard Foundation (JFB) marks its 10th anniversary this year, affirming a decade of culinary innovation and collaboration. As the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar invites JBF‑lauded chefs aboard its intimate yachts—not only to cook, but to lead demos, host dinners, conduct wine pairings, and guide immersive market tours ashore.
What can travelers expect? Imagine strolling through the stalls of a Mediterranean market under your chef’s guidance, selecting ripe local produce, or seafood just hauled from the water. Windstar’s Shop with the Chef shore excursions blend culture and cuisine, creating an indelible connection between place and plate. Back onboard, Windstar’s dining venues bring market treasures to life with each dish celebrating intentional sourcing and ingredient integrity. Even on non‑themed sailings, James Beard-curated creations appear nightly in Windstar Cruises’ Amphora restaurant.

On the 2025 JBF sailings, guest chefs include Jamilka Borges, José Mendin, Jennifer Hill Booker, Jennifer Jasinski, and Amy Brandwein. These stars design menus, engage in cooking demos and wine pairings, host dinners, and guide guests on market trips. To date, the ongoing collaboration has brought more than 45 JBF‑recognized chefs aboard Windstar Cruises, which also champions Good Food for Good, a philosophy aligned with JBF and rooted in deliciousness, accessibility, and responsibility.
Whether choosing a JBF sailing or enjoying another curated cruise, each nightly menu is crafted to highlight the spectacular flavors of the regional cuisine. Unforgettable voyages of taste await.
This is travel that’s 180 degrees from ordinary.
CRUISE GPS
Celebrating Place
& Plate
Celebrating Place & Plate
Windstar Cruises showcases James Beard flavors and local market cuisine.
Windstar Cruises is elevating epicurean travel with chef-led market tours, seasonal ingredients from each port city, and nightly menus infused with regional soul—all courtesy of a unique James Beard Foundation partnership. At the heart of these Windstar experiences lies a culinary ethos rooted in fresh, seasonal ingredients, with chefs hand‑picking produce at local markets to inspire nightly regional menus.

While the James Beard Foundation hardly needs a primer, a quick refresher: It was created nearly 40 years ago as a way to channel Beard’s passions of the culinary arts. It celebrates food culture and supports the industry through initiatives ranging from diversity to advocacy and beyond. Windstar’s partnership with the James Beard Foundation (JFB) marks its 10th anniversary this year, affirming a decade of culinary innovation and collaboration. As the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, Windstar invites JBF‑lauded chefs aboard its intimate yachts—not only to cook, but to lead demos, host dinners, conduct wine pairings, and guide immersive market tours ashore.
What can travelers expect? Imagine strolling through the stalls of a Mediterranean market under your chef’s guidance, selecting ripe local produce, or seafood just hauled from the water. Windstar’s Shop with the Chef shore excursions blend culture and cuisine, creating an indelible connection between place and plate. Back onboard, Windstar’s dining venues bring market treasures to life with each dish celebrating intentional sourcing and ingredient integrity. Even on non‑themed sailings, James Beard-curated creations appear nightly in Windstar Cruises’ Amphora restaurant.

On the 2025 JBF sailings, guest chefs include Jamilka Borges, José Mendin, Jennifer Hill Booker, Jennifer Jasinski, and Amy Brandwein. These stars design menus, engage in cooking demos and wine pairings, host dinners, and guide guests on market trips. To date, the ongoing collaboration has brought more than 45 JBF‑recognized chefs aboard Windstar Cruises, which also champions Good Food for Good, a philosophy aligned with JBF and rooted in deliciousness, accessibility, and responsibility.
Whether choosing a JBF sailing or enjoying another curated cruise, each nightly menu is crafted to highlight the spectacular flavors of the regional cuisine. Unforgettable voyages of taste await.
This is travel that’s 180 degrees from ordinary.
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Just Cruises and Tours Celebrating 37 Years in Business!
Owner, Laure Carafello Hristov, is a Certified Master Cruise Counselor and has been serving her customers since 1988. As a premium and luxury travel advisor, I specialize in River and Expedition cruises and custom vacation experiences for couples, families and small group travel.
I am always attending ship inspections and keeping up with the ever changing current trends in cruise, resort vacation packages and destination training to help my customers make informed decisions with their vacation dollars!
Don’t settle for the average travel booking website or automated phone system, we will take the time to get to know you and your family, making sure your vacation is perfectly tailored to YOUR needs.
My extensive travel experience is priceless and my network of supplier relationships and destination specialists in more than 100 countries to assist us in creating unique travel experiences is the key to customer satisfaction. ...