Tell me about the Chef’s Table?

[Hawkgirl23]

36 minutes ago, Hawkgirl23 said:

Has it opened on other ships? I just checked my 10/2 Horizon sailing and don't see it listed. 

John Heald just posted this answer -- Currently open for booking on the Mardi Gras, Breeze, and Miracle.

[FijiFlip]

20 hours ago, MamallamaAndDaddy said:

The Chef's table is open for reservations on the Mardi Gras Oct 30, 2021 sailing now as well.

My wife and I just signed up for it on this sailing. I CAN'T WAIT!! 😀

[AtSeaWithChris]

6 minutes ago, FijiFlip said:

My wife and I just signed up for it on this sailing. I CAN'T WAIT!! 😀

I signed up for day 6. It will be me and a good friend Dewey Ski there that night. 

[wemjam]

I would so LOVE to try this, but hubby wouldn't touch 90% of what they serve (true meat and potatoes guy, eats a steak pretty much every night on the cruise).  I am a foodie and would love the whole experience.  Other draw back for us is neither of us are wine drinkers which I know is a prime part of the whole experience.

 

Maybe one day in the future if I ever do a mom and daughter cruise again.

[IntrepidFromDC]

After being consistently impressed by every Steakhouse visit, we signed up for Chef's Table on a cruise in 2019.  I was expecting the food to be even a notch higher than Steakhouse, but it was not.  The presentations were beautiful and discussion by the various chefs was enjoyable but I was expecting the food to be amazing like a Michelin-starred restaurant (e.g., Daniel in Manhattan).  It was not.  The food was very pretty, and interesting, but not a single small plate was "WOW!".  We said we'd try it again some time and we will.

[AtSeaWithChris]

1 hour ago, wemjam said:

I would so LOVE to try this, but hubby wouldn't touch 90% of what they serve (true meat and potatoes guy, eats a steak pretty much every night on the cruise).  I am a foodie and would love the whole experience.  Other draw back for us is neither of us are wine drinkers which I know is a prime part of the whole experience.

 

Maybe one day in the future if I ever do a mom and daughter cruise again.

I just booked it last night with a friend. Dw didn't want to so I got a friend to go with me. 

[helene109]

1 hour ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

After being consistently impressed by every Steakhouse visit, we signed up for Chef's Table on a cruise in 2019.  I was expecting the food to be even a notch higher than Steakhouse, but it was not.  The presentations were beautiful and discussion by the various chefs was enjoyable but I was expecting the food to be amazing like a Michelin-starred restaurant (e.g., Daniel in Manhattan).  It was not.  The food was very pretty, and interesting, but not a single small plate was "WOW!".  We said we'd try it again some time and we will.

You are convincing me to book it! I don’t want to be like I wish that did it just once!! Thanks!

[Jasonsterling]

I loved the Chef's table- wonderfully executed meal and very different from anything else on the ship. I keep watching to see if it opens on my Breeze trip from August 21st because I'd love to do it. I definitely recommend it. 

[Cruise Related]

1 minute ago, Jasonsterling said:

I loved the Chef's table- wonderfully executed meal and very different from anything else on the ship. I keep watching to see if it opens on my Breeze trip from August 21st because I'd love to do it. I definitely recommend it. 

I think John said today it’ll be available on the Breeze, Mardi Gras, and Miracle I believe. I know I just booked it for Sept 19th on the Mardi Gras. 

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

After being consistently impressed by every Steakhouse visit, we signed up for Chef's Table on a cruise in 2019.  I was expecting the food to be even a notch higher than Steakhouse, but it was not.  The presentations were beautiful and discussion by the various chefs was enjoyable but I was expecting the food to be amazing like a Michelin-starred restaurant (e.g., Daniel in Manhattan).  It was not.  The food was very pretty, and interesting, but not a single small plate was "WOW!".  We said we'd try it again some time and we will.

 

My favorite item which they used to serve during the galley tour was the avocado cheesecake - I didn't see that one coming. I enjoyed it again (and Cheryl's I think) on a subsequent visit.

 

Tom

[DPTexas]

8 hours ago, helene109 said:

It’s $95 on Mardi Gras and $75 on all other ships. Just can’t decide ugh

Go for it!   I've sailed twice and dined twice at the Chef's Table.   Hope to be able to to do it in Feb.   It is  long evening, but well worth it especially if you are a foodie.   It is a wonderful experience, but pace yourself.  You will have mutliple courses and don't have to eat all of it, but I would suggest trying at least a bite of everything!   You will sit as a large group, but it is fun to chat with others.  Also, if you are sailing on a special occasion - such as a birthday or anniversary, they will specialize the dessert for you with a very nice inscription.  They did that for me on my last one b/c it was my birthday and my daughter told them.   It was very nice and all around a delightful and delicious evening.

BTW, when you sign up, they will let you know later if there were enough bookings for it to "take".  Then, they will send you an invitation.   It is recommended (used to be required) that close-toe shoes are worn b/c you are walking in the galley areas.   Hope I have helped you decide to sign up for it and enjoy it!

[helene109]

15 minutes ago, DPTexas said:

Go for it!   I've sailed twice and dined twice at the Chef's Table.   Hope to be able to to do it in Feb.   It is  long evening, but well worth it especially if you are a foodie.   It is a wonderful experience, but pace yourself.  You will have mutliple courses and don't have to eat all of it, but I would suggest trying at least a bite of everything!   You will sit as a large group, but it is fun to chat with others.  Also, if you are sailing on a special occasion - such as a birthday or anniversary, they will specialize the dessert for you with a very nice inscription.  They did that for me on my last one b/c it was my birthday and my daughter told them.   It was very nice and all around a delightful and delicious evening.

BTW, when you sign up, they will let you know later if there were enough bookings for it to "take".  Then, they will send you an invitation.   It is recommended (used to be required) that close-toe shoes are worn b/c you are walking in the galley areas.   Hope I have helped you decide to sign up for it and enjoy it!

Wow so helpful!! Not sure if I will remember close toe shoes. It will be on my 50th birthday! How long does it take? 

[Jasonsterling]

5 hours ago, Cruise Related said:

I think John said today it’ll be available on the Breeze, Mardi Gras, and Miracle I believe. I know I just booked it for Sept 19th on the Mardi Gras. 

I found out several hours ago and checked for my Breeze August 21st sailing but it's already sold out- I'm going to keep an eye out for cancellations but I might just have to miss it this time around. 

[DPTexas]

23 minutes ago, helene109 said:

Wow so helpful!! Not sure if I will remember close toe shoes. It will be on my 50th birthday! How long does it take? 

Helene, it is a long night.  Can't quite remember, but at least 3-4 hours.  I think they had us meet in a lobby area around 6:00 and it ended around 10/10:30.  They don't seem to enforce the close-toe shoes as several women had on sandals and open-toe heels.  Dress ranges from business casual to formal, but dress comfortably.  Several people joked that they had wished they had worn elastic waist pants or skirts!  LOL!.   It does seem, thought, that both times we have dined at the Chef's Table it was on formal night, so we missed the steak and lobster both times.   But, I was not heart-broken because the dinner was wonderful.  There is an explanation about how the chefs order enought food for the cruise, etc.  It was very interesting behind-the-scenes info and tour of several parts of the galley before the dinner started with several hors d'oeuvres served during the tour.  You get a copy of the menu and a photo of the head chef, servers and the participants.   When you sign up, be sure to let them know it is your birthday (and remind them when they confirm or call about food allergies)!

[DPTexas]

7 hours ago, wemjam said:

I would so LOVE to try this, but hubby wouldn't touch 90% of what they serve (true meat and potatoes guy, eats a steak pretty much every night on the cruise).  I am a foodie and would love the whole experience.  Other draw back for us is neither of us are wine drinkers which I know is a prime part of the whole experience.

 

Maybe one day in the future if I ever do a mom and daughter cruise again.

WemJam, I do not drink alcoholic beverages either.  They offer water or sparkling water to those who don't (and there were several of us both times I have eaten at the Chef's Table).  So, don't worry about that.  If I was a foodie (I am!) and my spouse wasn't, I would make him reservations at the steak house, make sure he had enough casino cash and I'd go by myself to the Chef's Table.  There have been several "singles" when I dined both times and everyone sits at a long table, so no one is isolated.  I think everyone felt very comfortable chatting with the neighbors beside, across and down the table from them.  But, maybe making the suggestion of going without your hubby may be a reason why I am divorced.  LOL!  It is truly a 'foodie feast" though. 

[helene109]

16 minutes ago, DPTexas said:

Helene, it is a long night.  Can't quite remember, but at least 3-4 hours.  I think they had us meet in a lobby area around 6:00 and it ended around 10/10:30.  They don't seem to enforce the close-toe shoes as several women had on sandals and open-toe heels.  Dress ranges from business casual to formal, but dress comfortably.  Several people joked that they had wished they had worn elastic waist pants or skirts!  LOL!.   It does seem, thought, that both times we have dined at the Chef's Table it was on formal night, so we missed the steak and lobster both times.   But, I was not heart-broken because the dinner was wonderful.  There is an explanation about how the chefs order enought food for the cruise, etc.  It was very interesting behind-the-scenes info and tour of several parts of the galley before the dinner started with several hors d'oeuvres served during the tour.  You get a copy of the menu and a photo of the head chef, servers and the participants.   When you sign up, be sure to let them know it is your birthday (and remind them when they confirm or call about food allergies)!

You are so helpful! My daughter 25 went to culinary school and really wants to do this! Now to just convince my husband and 21 year old son! I just don’t want to regret not doing it.

[IntrepidFromDC]

5 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

My favorite item which they used to serve during the galley tour was the avocado cheesecake - I didn't see that one coming. I enjoyed it again (and Cheryl's I think) on a subsequent visit.

 

Tom

I remembered the chocolate melting cake cooking lesson but forgot about the amuse bouche completely.  Now that you reminded me, I don't recall avocado cheesecake, but I do remember the amuse bouche DID have that "WOW" factor the 7-course meal lacked.  

[DPTexas]

2 minutes ago, helene109 said:

You are so helpful! My daughter 25 went to culinary school and really wants to do this! Now to just convince my husband and 21 year old son! I just don’t want to regret not doing it.

What about just you and your daughter doing it?  That's what my daugher and I do and enjoy dining together very much.  Your guys might enjoy doing something else.  I think every cruiser should experience it at least once, but obviously I am a little biased about this.  But, remember, when you are cruising there are no regrets (whatever you decide) b/c . . . well, you are crusing!!!

[bunnyette]

35 minutes ago, helene109 said:

You are so helpful! My daughter 25 went to culinary school and really wants to do this! Now to just convince my husband and 21 year old son! I just don’t want to regret not doing it.

You must take your daughter, I did it and it was fantastic.  If hubby & son don’t want to go, send them off to eat whatever they want elsewhere while you have a lovely mother & daughter evening.

[helene109]

30 minutes ago, DPTexas said:

What about just you and your daughter doing it?  That's what my daugher and I do and enjoy dining together very much.  Your guys might enjoy doing something else.  I think every cruiser should experience it at least once, but obviously I am a little biased about this.  But, remember, when you are cruising there are no regrets (whatever you decide) b/c . . . well, you are crusing!!!

You are so spot on! My husband loves cooking shows too! I will just tell him this is my gift that he goes! We have a suite for the first time too! I agree with you only once! Thanks again!

[helene109]

13 minutes ago, bunnyette said:

You must take your daughter, I did it and it was fantastic.  If hubby & son don’t want to go, send them off to eat whatever they want elsewhere while you have a lovely mother & daughter evening.

Good point! I am going to have all of us go! I don’t want to say you should have gone and them wish that they did too!

[Moviela]

It may be priced higher on Mardi Gras because their is value added to the meal. With Emeril having a place on board, they may use some of his delightful and pricey creations. There could also be a string trio and a magician doing close up magic. (I asked one to make my check disappear.)

 

When you reserve, you must pay with your credit card, however, once onboard you can ask guest services to refund your card and charge your on board credit account. For complicated operational reasons they cannot just charge a pre-departure reservation to OBC. Works for me.  

[sailingships]

1 hour ago, Jasonsterling said:

I found out several hours ago and checked for my Breeze August 21st sailing but it's already sold out- I'm going to keep an eye out for cancellations but I might just have to miss it this time around. 

They sometimes have more than one depending on the ship. On the Horizon in the Med  they had an amazing experience and it was held just about every night of the cruises. 

[bon91324]

It just opened up on the Oct 2nd Panorama, I booked it right away. I am so excited...the Chef's table is so much fun and such good food.

[Cruise Related]

I was able to book the Chef’s Table today for my cruise on the Horizon this weekend.