Chef Classes on Crystal Cruises' Annual Wine & Food Series

Dakar, SenegalCruisers can a full taste of Crystal Cruises' 15th annual Wine & Food Experiences of Discovery series in 2011, as star chefs like three-star Michelin chef Heinz Beck offer hands-on cooking classes, among other presentations onboard. On seven cruises through South America, the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Alaska and the Mexican Riviera, the line will feature celebrated chefs, wine experts and mixologists; among them will be celebrity chef Jon Ashton, wine director at L'École French Culinary Institute, Alexis Kahn, and H. Joseph Ehrmann, mixologist and saloonkeeper of San Francisco's Elixir.

During the sailing, guests will get a chance to learn first-hand as well as benefit from chefs' demos, wine tastings, pairing sessions and lessons in the art of the perfect cocktail. The chefs will create a dinner menu with signature specialties, and passengers on select voyages can take sushi-making classes with Nobu-trained chefs behind the scenes in Silk Road and The Sushi Bar.

Ashore, guests can choose from Crystal Adventures including private wine tastings, cooking lessons, and regional food sampling with local experts. Onboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, Nobu Matsuhisa's cuisine will take the spotlight, with innovative wine and food pairings scheduled in the Vintage Room. In addition, the line's cheese and wine sommeliers, certified through the Court of Master Sommeliers, will be on hand to discuss the line's cheese and wine cellars.

During the cruise, guests can take advantage of the line's expanded cuisine scene, with Crystal Cruises' Crystal Dining Room with Perfect Choice Dining and Open Dining by Reservation, with which guests can choose when and where they dine, in addition to Crystal's main and late seating choices.

Visit www.crystalcruises.com.