Food Network's Keegan Gerhard to Sail on Holland America Line's ms Nieuw
Amsterdam Feb. 20

    



    
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<p><span class="xn-location">SEATTLE</span>, <span class="xn-chron">Nov. 10, 2010</span> /CNW/ -- Keegan Gerhard, current host of the top-rated Food Network Challenge series and owner of D Bar Desserts in <span class="xn-location">Denver</span>, Colo., is scheduled to sail as part of the guest-enrichment program on the <span class="xn-chron">Feb. 20, 2011</span> Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Holland America Line's ms Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span>.</p>
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<p>The seven-day cruise sails round-trip from <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span>, Fla., and calls at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; <span class="xn-location">San Juan</span>, <span class="xn-location">Puerto Rico</span>; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The ship also calls at the line's private island of Half <span class="xn-person">Moon Cay</span> in the <span class="xn-location">Bahamas</span> before returning to <span class="xn-location">Fort Lauderdale</span>.</p>
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<p>During the Eastern Caribbean voyage, Gerhard will perform baking demonstrations for guests in the ship's state-of-the-art show kitchen, conduct tastings of decadent desserts and participate in question-and-answer sessions.</p>
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<p>Named as one of the nation's top-10 pastry chefs, Gerhard began his career in the culinary industry to earn extra income and support his Olympic dreams of becoming a star cyclist. He discovered his true passion for baking while working as an assistant pastry chef for master pastry chef and founder of the French Pastry School in <span class="xn-location">Chicago</span>, Jacquy Pfeiffer. Prior to opening D Bar Desserts in <span class="xn-location">Denver</span>, the celebrated patissier held positions in many of America's top kitchens including Charlie Trotter's Restaurant, Waldorf Astoria, Ritz-Carlton <span class="xn-location">Naples</span>, Four Seasons <span class="xn-location">Chicago</span>, Dean and DeLuca, and the luxury resort Wynn <span class="xn-location">Las Vegas</span>.</p>
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<p>In 2001 at the Pastry World Cup Gerhard served as technical advisor to Team USA, which brought home the gold medal. He also was recognized as a Distinguished Visiting Pastry Chef by Johnson & Wales University and has been twice named a top-10 pastry chef by "Pastry Art and Design" magazine.</p>
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<p>In addition to serving as host of the Food Network Challenge Series, Gerhard is a regularly featured guest on television programs including the Discovery Channel's "Great Chefs of America," the Travel Channel and CNN.</p>
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    Holland America Line's Culinary Arts Center
    
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<p>Holland America Line's Culinary Arts Center is featured on each of the line's 15 ships. A first-class "show kitchen at sea," the Culinary Arts Centers presented by "Food & Wine" magazine resembles the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on television cooking programs. The facilities are used for demonstrations, tastings and hands-on cooking classes during every Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> sailing.</p>
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<p>Each facility features a theater-style venue with two large plasma video screens and a large cooking display counter. In partnership with "Food & Wine" magazine, Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> will schedule approximately 65 celebrated chefs and wine experts to sail in 2011. On cruises that do not have a celebrity chef on board, classes and demonstrations are conducted by Holland America Line's own expert chefs.</p>
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<p>Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> 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 8 years old learn to make theme cookies, fruit roll-ups, ice cream sandwiches, salad people art and scones. Kids 8 and over make soft pretzels, granola bars, pita chips and hummus, and saltwater taffy. Teens also can attend adult culinary demonstrations.</p>
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<p>The Culinary Arts Center and guest enrichment program are part of Holland America Line's innovative and leading culinary initiatives, which also include a partnership with Le Cirque to present "An Evening at Le Cirque in the Pinnacle Grill" and a Culinary Council comprised of renowned international chefs <span class="xn-person">Jonnie Boer</span>, <span class="xn-person">David Burke</span>, Marcus Samuelsson, <span class="xn-person">Jacques Torres</span>, <span class="xn-person">Charlie Trotter</span> and the line's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin.</p>
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<p>For a full schedule of Holland America Line's culinary guest program, visit <a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-onboard/Enrichment.action">http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-onboard/Enrichment.action</a> and click on the Culinary Arts Center tab.</p>
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<p>For cruise brochures or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit <a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com">www.hollandamerica.com</a></p>
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<p>Find Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog.  Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at <a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com">www.hollandamerica.com</a>.</p>
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<p>About Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:  CCL and CUK)]</p>
<p>Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 354 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies.  Two- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, <span class="xn-location">South America</span>, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, <span class="xn-location">Bermuda</span>, Alaska, <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>, Canada/New England, <span class="xn-location">Europe</span> and <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal.</p>
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<p>Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than <span class="xn-money">$525 million</span>, 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, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.</p>
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    World's Leading Cruise Lines
    
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<p>Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, <span class="xn-person">Princess Cruises</span>, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.  Visit us at <a href="http://www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com">www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com</a></p>
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    CONTACT:            Sally Andrews, John Primeau
    PHONE:              800-637-5029, 206-262-5870
    FAX:                206-262-5934
    EMAIL:              [email protected]








    

For further information: Sally Andrews, 1-800-637-5029, or John Primeau, [phone], both of Holland America Line, fax, [phone], [email protected]