Northstar

Cuisine Set sail and start feasting NEW YORK – How would you like to be stuck in the middle of the sea, with the world's top chefs on board? The most sought-after "reservations" in town for April 2013 will not be on land, but rather will be at sea, with the launch of the fi rst-ever "Top Chef: The Cruise," aboard the modern, luxurious Celebrity Constellation. The announcement was made today by Bravo Media, Celebrity Cruises, Magical Elves and Rose Tours, and offers fans of the Emmy-winning "Top Chef" reality competition series the chance to spend quality time with the show's judges and chefs, making this a one-of-a-kind culinary vacation experience. Hosted by two of "Top Chef's" most beloved stars, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, and featuring past "chef'testants," the April 11-15, 2013 cruise will sail roundtrip from Miami, Florida, with stops in Key West, Florida and Cozumel, Mexico. During the voyage, guests will have the opportunity to savor events such as interactive "Quickfi re" cooking challenges, culinary demonstrations, question-and-answer sessions, Top Chef menus and more. Guests also will enjoy Celebrity's own award-winning culinary offerings, with cuisine created by a James Beard-featured chef, and inimitable, personalized service. "The incredibly engaged fans of Bravo's Top Chef are in for a one-of- a-kind and personal opportunity with Top Chef: The Cruise," said Ellen Stone, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Bravo. "With complete access to talented former chef'testants and our amazing judges, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, fans will experience It's a culinary showdown SINGAPORE – Five days. Twelve internationally renowned chefs. It's all about the excitement of cooking, joy of dining and of course, the thrill of the fi rst ever culinary showdown at Sofi tel So Bangkok. Titled So Amazing Chefs 2012, this gastronomic extravaganza offers various options, from morning and afternoon master cooking classes, held in various of the hotel's distinctive restaurants and conducted by the maestros, to themed lunches and unique set- menu dinners where each of six or nine courses are prepared by a different chef for truly magnifi que culinary experiences. The highlight of the event, on September 27, will be a "Culinary Showdown" with 9 chefs, each at their own individual cooking stations, giving virtuoso displays of their skills. Here, stunningly presented in the hotel's Ballroom, guests will get a close-up view of the culinary maestros at work, while Thai celebrity chefs will judge and add to the excitement. All proceeds from this Culinary Showdown will be donated to the CCF Foundation under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to help needy children. Twelve chefs from 8 countries form a prestigious line-up in a unique culinary event starring: Stephane Bonnat, Voiron, France – famed as the "Oldest Chocolate Maker" Sofi tel So Bangkok will also work with Vatel International Business School at Silpakorn University to allow a group of talented Thai students who are studying Hotel and Tourism Management to have an opportunity to work with these world-class chefs in the kitchens for their own development and skills enhancement. Events Sebastien Bouillet, Lyon, France – "The Creative Spirit" Alain Caron, Amsterdam, Holland – "The Showbiz Chef" Pierre-Yves Lebihan, Houston, USA –"Well-Traveled Chef" Didier Corlou, Hanoi, Vietnam – "An amazing chef" with an equally amazing lifestyle Christian Echterbille, Houston, USA – "The Team Spirit Chef" Marc Friederich, Paarl, South Africa – Chef and Sommelier, cooked for several Michelin star chefs Patrick Jeffroy, Brittany, France – "Multi Star Chef" Chris Salans, Bali, Indonesia – "Fifty Best World Chef" Paul Smart, Bangkok, Thailand – "Chef of Park Society @ Sofi tel So Bangkok" Romain Valicon, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – "The New Generation Chef" Nicolas A. Vienne, Bangkok, Thailand – "Executive Chef @ So Bangkok" and taste the Top Chef culinary feats fi rsthand!" Chefs from the past seasons that had audiences glued to their televisions, such as Hubert Keller, Tim Love, Jennifer Carroll, Tiffany Derry, Chris Hanmer, Michael Isabella, Spike Mendelsohn, Hosea Rosenberg, Angelo Sosa and Casey Thompson will also join in the judges. Events 9 August 2012

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