Paul Gauguin Cruises Welcomes Celebrity Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato Aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin on the July 30, 2011 Sailing

The Gauguin’s La Veranda and L’Etoile Restaurants Featuring the Famed Parisian Chef’s Dishes

BELLEVUE, WA (January 21, 2011) Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, is pleased to welcome Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, owner and Chef Propriétaire of one of the finest restaurants in Paris, the two Michelin-starred Restaurant Apicius (www.restaurant-apicius.com), aboard The Gauguin for an exceptional culinary program. 

Paul Gauguin Cruises has enjoyed a wonderfully fruitful relationship with Chef Vigato over the years, working together to enhance The Gauguin sailing experience.  Available for all 2011 sailings, Chef Vigato’ssignature menu is featured in the ship’s La Veranda restaurant and select dishes will also be featured at L’Etoile.  Chef Vigato will join The Gauguin’s July 30, 2011 sailing as a special guest, personally preparing gourmet dishes for guests as well as offering cooking demonstrations of his renowned culinary techniques.  Sample menu items include Fine Tart of Mushrooms and Snails with Mascarpone and White Truffle Oil, Grilled Wahoo with Thai Vegetables and an Herb Salad, and a Local Pineapple Jelly Served with Rum Infused Mascarpone and Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream.   

A self-taught chef, Vigato learned at an early age the value of simple, fresh ingredients; of crafting food with tantalizing aromas; and of simply cooking with love. He recognizes that, even within a luxury capacity, simplicity and honesty are essential ingredients.  Arguably one of the best restaurants in Paris, Restaurant Apicius sits nestled in private gardens behind the Champs-Elysées within a 19^th century mansion.  Chef Vigato opened Restaurant Apicius in 1984, earning his first Michelin star after just one year of operations, and earning a second Michelin star three years later. 

For rates and reservations for Paul Gauguin Cruises, contact a professional travel agent, call 800-848-6172, or visit www.pgcruises.com. 

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About Paul Gauguin Cruises

Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., the leader in French Polynesia luxury destination resorts, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the luxury cruise ship m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a luxury cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific. The Gauguin was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. The ship is 513 feet long, 71 feet wide and has a draft of 16.9 feet. The ship can accommodate 332 guests with a staff of 215 and is one of the top Exclusive Charter and Incentive Group venues in the industry. The Gauguin has undergone more than $25 million in enhancements, has completed more than 570 South Pacific cruises and served more than 155,000 guests, including more than 14,000 honeymooners since its inaugural sail in 1998. The Gauguin has just been impressively named the Gold Magellan Award Winner in the Small Cruise Ship category by Travel Weekly.

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