The brand offers innovatively-designed ships, outstanding service and a focus on active shore excursions and wellness through their signature EmeraldACTIVE program.
HOLLYWOOD, FL – In a delicious culinary collaboration set against the backdrop of the Danube River, Scenic Group’s own Tom Goetter will join his Top Chef World All-Stars castmate and friend – Canada’s Dale MacKay – for a once-in-a-lifetime culinary sailing with Emerald Cruises. Departing Budapest on June 21, 2024, this eight-day Danube Delights with Celebrity Chef Dale MacKay sailing offers a unique opportunity for the celebrity chefs to collaborate as they blend their distinct culinary styles for a week of inspiring cuisine onboard Emerald Destiny.
During the sailing, guests will be treated to exclusive culinary experiences including a private cocktail reception co-hosted by the top chefs; a collaborative, regionally-inspired onboard dinner created especially for this sailing by Chefs Goetter and MacKay; and a live cooking demonstration reminiscent of a Top Chef challenge that will see each chef create a unique dish from the same ingredients, followed by a Q&A. Two lucky guests will be chosen to win the opportunity to cook with the celebrity chefs.
Chef Goetter commented: “It’s going to be great fun to collaborate with Dale again, especially as we’ll be sailing through my native Germany where I first learned to cook.” Tom Goetter started his cooking career at Hyatt Hotels in his hometown of Mainz, followed by Steinberger Academy in southern Germany where he obtained his master’s in culinary arts graduating with honors. He trained under Thomas Keller and his team in Napa Valley before beginning his career with Scenic when he took the position of Executive Chef for the newly launched Scenic Eclipse in 2019. Today he oversees the entire culinary program for both Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yachts as well as the two Emerald Cruises yachts as VP of Hotel Operations for Scenic Group.
“I am very much looking forward to my first European river cruise with Emerald Cruises,” said Chef MacKay. “I’m thrilled to be able to cook with Chef Tom again, and I can’t wait to explore the food traditions along the Danube River and infuse the flavors and techniques into my own culinary approach to share with guests.”
Chef Dale MacKay was born in Saskatchewan, Canada and knew from an early age that he was destined for the kitchen. He traveled the world, working his way through the kitchens of Gordon Ramsay and Daniel Boulud for a decade before winning the first season of Top Chef Canada. Over the past ten years, he and long-time co-worker and business partner Christopher Cho have opened five award-winning restaurants in Saskatchewan under Grassroots Restaurant Group. Featuring Japanese, Korean and French influences, the restaurants include Ayden Kitchen and Bar, Little Grouse on the Prairie, Sticks and Stones, Avenue Restaurant. Always testing his competitive side, Dale has also appeared on Iron Chef Gauntlet, Fire Masters, Wall of Chefs and competed internationally on Top Chef World All-Stars.
Emerald Cruises offers a diverse lineup of river and yacht cruises across four continents. On the world’s rivers, Emerald Cruises sails eight branded Star-Ships in Europe and one on the Mekong in Southeast Asia. Their first 100-guest, luxury ocean yacht, Emerald Azzurra, debuted in March 2022, and twin sister-yacht Emerald Sakara launched in August 2023. Both yachts sail the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Red and Caribbean Seas and the Indian Ocean.
Emerald Cruises was recognized in the 2023 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards as a favourite river cruise line and voted the #1 small ship cruise line for their fleet of luxury ocean yachts. Emerald Cruises is part of Scenic Group, which includes Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Mayflower Cruises & Tours, and Evergreen Tours in Australia.
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