Chef Morimoto Is Teaming Up With a Cruise Line for a Delicious Adventure

Renowned celebrity chef Masaharu Morimoto – you may know him as the Iron Chef – is teaming up with Holland America to create the Global Fresh Fish Program. Morimoto will be the cruise line’s “Fresh Fish Ambassador,” as the pair work together to bring freshly caught fish from around the world straight to cruise ships.

The Way it Works

This ambitious endeavor will involve 60 different ports and 80 different types of fish. The goal is to get the fish from the sea onto traveler’s plates within 48 hours. This means that passengers will get to enjoy freshly caught local fish from the very waters their cruise is in. For example, as the ship is in the Caribbean, yellowtail snapper will be served. When in Alaska, guests will be able to eat sockeye salmon. In Mexico, people can enjoy red snapper. And, in Greece, they’ll be able to eat lavraki. Holland America is the first cruise line to try this feat, and they’re extremely proud of it.

What They Had to Say

Holland America Line’s vice president of food and beverage, Michael Stendebach, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Chef Morimoto, the foremost expert in this niche. We share a commitment to serving the freshest ingredients, fish and seafood, in particular. We are excited to have his refined skills and celebrate his culinary style on board. Chef Morimoto brings his mastery and excellence to Holland America Line and is a great partner to bring this port-to-plate program to life.”

Morimoto echoed those sentiments by saying, “Embarking on this type of culinary journey at sea is a first for me, and I am excited to bring my passion for fresh fish and fresh ingredients onto Holland America Line’s fleet. I chose to partner with Holland America because we share a commitment and passion for fresh, regionally inspired foods, and you will see that come to life in the special dishes and pop-up experience we’ve created together.”