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Seattle, May 5, 2009 — George Duran, host of the Food Network’s “Ham on the Street” and “Secret Life of…,” is scheduled to sail as part of the guest-enrichment program on the Aug. 29, 2009, Alaska voyage aboard Holland America Line’s ms Amsterdam.
The round-trip Seattle, Wash., cruise in which Duran is programmed to be the featured celebrity chef calls at Juneau, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia, with Hubbard Glacier scenic cruising.
During his cruise, the epicurean expert will perform cooking demonstrations for guests in the ship’s state-of-the-art show kitchen, conduct seminars and tastings, and participate in question and answer sessions.
The Venezuela-native didn’t take a traditional path to culinary excellence. He attended New York University where he majored in communications studies and worked in radio and television production. After college, he worked as an on-air radio personality in New York. After working on the popular MTV show “House of Style,” Duran moved to Miami, — and the Latin music television station HTV — where he hosted such shows such as the “Top 21 Videos of 2001” and “Pachanga!”
In 2002 Duran turned to the world of cuisine, and his “hobby” took him to Paris, France, where he attended culinary school at the Êcole Supérieure de Cuisine Française Groupe Ferrandi. While attending school, Duran created and hosted “Pop Cuisine” on France’s Cuisine TV network. He also wrote a culinary column in the French edition of “FHM” magazine.
Duran returned to New York in 2005 taking his career as a television chef to the next level, creating and hosting Food Network’s popular “Ham on the Street.” The show’s fresh, comedic view not only appealed to the network’s core audience, but also brought in an unprecedented amount of younger viewers to the network’s lineup.
In February 2007, Duran expanded his presence on Food Network, hosting “The Secret Life of…,” a light-hearted exploration of the history of the foods we love. In October 2008 Duran’s first book, “Take This Dish and Twist It,” hit bookstore shelves.
Holland America Line launched its innovative culinary guest-enrichment program in 2005. Each of the line’s 14 ships features a Culinary Arts Center. A first-class “show kitchen at sea,” the Culinary Arts Centers presented by “Food and Wine” magazine resemble the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on television cooking programs and offer culinary demonstrations, tastings and hands-on cooking classes aboard every Holland America sailing.
Each facility features a theater-style venue, with two large plasma video screens and a large cooking display counter where guests can learn from the masters. In partnership with “Food and Wine” magazine, Holland America Line has scheduled approximately 60 celebrated chefs and wine experts to sail in 2009. On cruises that do not have a celebrity chef on board, classes and demonstrations in the show kitchen are scheduled with Holland America’s own expert chefs.
Holland America Line also offers a youth Culinary Arts Center activity program to teach kids and teens how to cook. The program incorporates dishes from breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in complimentary 45-minute-long classes. Kids under eight years old learn to make theme cookies, fruit roll-ups, ice cream sandwiches, salad people art and scones. Kids eight and over make soft pretzels, granola bars, pita chips and hummus, and saltwater taffy. Teens also can attend adult culinary demonstrations.
Holland America Line ships are the perfect setting to showcase award-winning guest experts. In addition to the enrichment experience provided by the culinary stars on board, passengers can dine in a variety of venues, including everything from a quick bite poolside to a formal five-course affair. Every ship features an elegant main dining room, a sophisticated Pinnacle Grill where guests can sample Sterling Silver beef and fresh seafood, the casual indoor-outdoor Lido Restaurant, and the Terrace Grill on deck for lunchtime fare.
For a full schedule of Holland America Line’s Culinary Guest Program, visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-onboard/Enrichment.action and click on the Culinary Arts Center tab.
For cruise brochures or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Editor’s Note:
Photography available at http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/WhTS:eKT:Pxp
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About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine - a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.
Worlds Leading Cruise Lines
The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.