March 27, 2024
Dive Deep Into Island Flavor
With Acclaimed Culinary Guests
December is often a time filled with delectable food served at celebratory occasions, toasted to with fine wines and culminating in a buzzy cocktail hour. Now imagine this: take all the festive flavor of the season, sprinkle in the sun-drenched Society Islands in French Polynesia, add two renowned food and wine experts to host special culinary experiences, and you have a recipe for an idyllic winter getaway.
Pictured left to right: Hawaiian culinary expert Chef Tom Wong; Certified Sommelier Charlie Plummer.
This year, we are thrilled to welcome Hawaiian culinary expert Chef Tom Wong and Certified Sommelier Charlie Plummer to our December 11, 2024 Food and Wine Culinary Cruise—a 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus itinerary—aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin.
Working alongside The Gauguin’s acclaimed culinary team, Chef Wong and Plummer will collaborate on an array of complimentary events and dishes designed to showcase the flavors of the region. The programming will meld Chef Wong’s signature Hawaiian fare with the locally inspired French-tropical specialties served on board, accentuated by Plummer’s curated wine pairings. Among the unique experiences offered will be a tasting exercise Chef Wong calls “Flavor Dynamics: The Physiology of Taste” where guests are taken on a sensory journey to understand how the palate works. Plummer will host a similar event to show how wine and food interact and impact taste.
Such colorful culinary depth and decadence is a signature of The Gauguin Experience. Completely at home in these islands for more than 25 years, The Gauguin’s culinary repertoire rivals anything found on land: think fresh-picked fruits and fruits de mer including mahi mahi, moon fish, prawns, and the ubiquitous yellow fin tuna prepared to taste – grilled, sashimi, and the wildly popular ceviche-like poisson cru. There are also French-inspired delicacies such as foie gras terrine, duck à l’orange, and a delectable Tahitian vanilla crème brûlée. All this deliciousness is served up in The Gauguin’s three unique dining venues (with a side of 24-hour Room Service too!).
Part of our Themed Enrichment Voyages, the Food and Wine Culinary Cruise will feature signature dishes and cocktails throughout the 10-night journey.
The December Food and Wine Culinary Cruise marks the charismatic Plummer’s first voyage with us and heralds the return of Chef Wong who dazzled guests with his culinary wizardry and engaging personality on a voyage last year. Reflecting on his journey, Chef Wong shared:
“Sailing aboard The Gauguin as a guest chef was my first experience on a cruise ship and everything about the voyage was impeccable. There was an impressive consistency in both culture and work ethic by the entire crew beyond the galley. What I saw was not something that could have been staged for one day; it was standard operational procedure. This excellence was not an act, but a habit. It was an honor to be part of The Gauguin’s culinary team and a privilege to share my love of Hawaiian cuisine with the guests on board. I look forward to returning to host an elevated experience with Charlie Plummer.”
On every voyage, The Gauguin’s Executive Chef (here, Paul Ellis) hosts a moonfish filet presentation to the delight of guests (known also as “opah” this deep-diving flat fish tastes similar to tuna and can weigh upwards of 100 pounds!).
Chef Wong’s extensive expertise in Hawaiian culinary techniques and delicacies promises to serve as the perfect complement to the offerings aboard The Gauguin. Having appeared on the Discovery Channel’s Great Chefs of Hawaii, the Food Network’s Cooking Across America, CNN’s On the Menu, Weekend TODAY and more, he’s well versed in making fine cuisine accessible and engaging for novices and aficionados alike.
And while the wines paired with each dish will feature a range of fine vintages to suit the most discerning connoisseurs, sommelier Charlie Plummer (certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers) makes each label interesting and approachable. Known for his warm and inviting demeanor, Plummer brings an extra layer of enrichment to every tasting experience.
From flavor palate escapes on board to color palette discoveries undersea; French Polynesia enchants with a kaleidoscope of ocean life not found anywhere else in the world.
Beyond the elegant dining on board, you may find yourself on terra firma or underwater on this dreamy 10-day voyage cruising round-trip from Tahiti. Two full days in Bora Bora invite explorations of the iconic Mount Otemanu, snorkeling in the fabled lagoon, or spending time on our private stretch of beach.
In Rangiroa and Fakarava—a UNESCO-listed Marine Biosphere Reserve—you can snorkel amidst unique wildlife not found anywhere else on the globe. And on our private islet of Motu Mahana off the coast of Taha’a, you can truly disconnect from anything not made of sand or coconuts: sip umbrella drinks in the sunshine and lose yourself in the alternating rhythm of the waves and swaying palms. Other destination highlights of this voyage include a visit to the “Garden Isle” of Huahine and overnights in Moorea and Papeete.
Set out on new adventures and gain unique perspective on the island landscapes.
However the journey calls to you, you’ll find the answer aboard The Gauguin. Active travelers will relish off-road ATV adventures, aqua bike excursions, and a thrilling Huahine safari expedition. The culturally curious can connect with local lore and history with visits to villages, sacred sites, vanilla plantations and black pearl farms. And wildlife lovers will find encounters with dolphins, sharks, stingrays, triggerfish, butterfly fish, groupers, parrotfish and countless other species in every destination.
Join us aboard The Gauguin for an all-inclusive, luxury voyage centered around the flavors and traditions of French Polynesia’s magnificent islands. Taste specialties crafted by experts, experience adventures guided by locals, dive into waters teeming with life and warm your soul in the heart of winter.
Book your voyage now. We’ll have the wine chilled for you.
PGC Blog ID 13693