<p>In a bold move that will enhance all aspects of Holland America  Line's shipboard culinary operations, the line has created the Holland  America Line Culinary Council, which is composed of celebrated chefs  from around the world. As Council members, the chefs will enrich Holland  America Line's culinary initiatives and present signature recipes to be  featured in all dining venues on all 15 ships.</p>
<p>The Culinary Council members include Council Chairman and Holland America Line's Master Chef <span class="xn-person">Rudi Sodamin</span>, along with renowned international chefs <span class="xn-person">Jonnie Boer</span>, <span class="xn-person">David Burke</span>, <span class="xn-person">Marcus Samuelsson</span>, <span class="xn-person">Jacques Torres</span> and <span class="xn-person">Charlie Trotter</span>.</p>
<p>"Bringing  these icons and their diverse backgrounds to our guests places Holland  America Line at the forefront of culinary initiatives within the  industry," said <span class="xn-person">Richard D. Meadows</span>, CTC,  executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "The  Council's expertise and innovative guidance will touch every aspect of  our shipboard food service, from the Lido Restaurant breakfast buffet to  the dinner menu of the Pinnacle Grill and everything in between."</p>
<p>Besides  sharing their insights on menus and culinary offerings, the Council  will consult on the line's Culinary Arts Center enrichment program to  help create new and even more innovative learning experiences for  guests.</p>
<p>Holland America Line Culinary Council members:</p>
<p>Council Chairman <strong><span class="xn-person">Rudi Sodamin</span> </strong>is  the creative culinary artist and master chef for Holland America Line.  Internationally recognized as a food authority and one of the cruise  industry's most innovative chefs, Sodamin is a member of the Academy  Culinaire de <span class="xn-location">France</span>, Maitres Cuisiniers de <span class="xn-location">France</span> and Honorary Member Club des Chefs des Chefs. Sodamin has published  several cookbooks, including the best-selling "A Taste of Excellence,"  "A Taste of Elegance" and "A Taste of Celebration."</p>
<p><strong><span class="xn-person">Jonnie Boer</span></strong> is head chef at De Librije in Zwolle, recognized as one of the 50 best  restaurants in the world, and only the second restaurant in <span class="xn-location">the Netherlands</span> to be awarded three Michelin stars. His catering company, Food on Tour,  sells its own products, and in 2008 Boer and his wife Therese opened a  new hotel with restaurant, as well as a cooking and wine school. The  restaurant, Librije's Zusje, was awarded its first Michelin star within  six months of opening. Boer was named a Knight in the Order of Orange  Nassau in 2005, one of the Netherland's highest honors.</p>
<p>Blurring the lines between chef, artist, entrepreneur and inventor, <strong><span class="xn-person">David Burke</span></strong> stands as a leading pioneer in American cooking today. His fascination  with ingredients and the art of the meal has fueled a career marked by  creativity, critical acclaim and the introduction of revolutionary  products and cooking techniques. In addition to his flagship restaurant,  David Burke Townhouse, Burke's other properties include Fishtail (<span class="xn-location">New York, N.Y.</span>), <span class="xn-person">David Burke</span> at <span class="xn-location">Bloomingdale</span>'s (<span class="xn-location">New York</span>), Burke in the Box at McCarran Airport (<span class="xn-location">Las Vegas, Nevada</span>), <span class="xn-person">David Burke</span>'s Primehouse (<span class="xn-location">Chicago, Ill.</span>), David Burke Fromagerie (<span class="xn-location">Rumson, N.J.</span>) and <span class="xn-person">David Burke Prime</span> (Foxwoods Casino, Conn.).</p>
<p>Blending culture and artistic excellence, <strong><span class="xn-person">Marcus Samuelsson</span></strong> has won numerous awards, and was chosen as one of the Great Chefs of America by the <span class="xn-org">Culinary Institute of America</span>. Born in <span class="xn-location">Ethiopia</span> and raised by adoptive parents in <span class="xn-location">Sweden</span>,  Samuelsson's award-winning cookbooks connect contrasting geographies  and palates. His best-selling "New American Table" cookbook celebrates  local farms and kitchens. He is the winner of Bravo's "Top Chef Masters  Season Two" and was guest chef at the White House for the Obama  administration's first state dinner for Prime Minister Singh of <span class="xn-location">India</span>. His latest restaurant, Red Rooster, opens in Harlem in <span class="xn-chron">November 2010</span>.</p>
<p><strong><span class="xn-person">Jacques Torres</span></strong> is a former pastry chef at Le Cirque and Le Cirque 2000 in <span class="xn-location">Manhattan</span>. Born and raised in southern <span class="xn-location">France</span>,  he has authored two cookbooks: "Dessert Circus: Extraordinary Desserts  You Can Make at Home," which earned a 1999 James Beard nomination, and  "Dessert Circus at Home." In 2000 he created Jacques Torres Chocolate,  which specializes in fresh, hand-crafted chocolates, and he was featured  in "Chocolate with <span class="xn-person">Jacques Torres</span>" on the Television Food Network.</p>
<p>One of the finest restaurants in the world, <strong><span class="xn-person">Charlie Trotter</span>'s</strong> in <span class="xn-location">Chicago</span> has helped establish new standards for fine dining. It has been  recognized by national and international institutions and has won 10  James Beard Foundation awards, including Outstanding Restaurant and  Outstanding Chef. Author of 14 cookbooks, Trotter hosts the  award-winning cooking series, "The Kitchen Sessions with <span class="xn-person">Charlie Trotter</span>."  He also operates Trotter's To Go, a gourmet shop, and produces a line  of private-label organic products. Recognized as Humanitarian of the  Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals,  Trotter's foundation raises money to support people seeking careers in  the culinary arts.</p>
<p>The Council will meet regularly with Holland America Line executives, with the first meeting scheduled for later this year.</p>
<p>Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> is known for its innovative and leading programming and partnerships,  providing guests with a premium and enriching cruise experience. The  line has garnered numerous accolades and awards and is consistently  among the highest-rated cruise lines in the <em>Conde Nast Traveler</em> Readers' Choice Awards, <em>Travel + Leisure</em> World's Best Awards and <em>Conde Nast Traveller</em> UK Readers' Travel Awards. &nbsp;In addition, Culinary Council Chairman <span class="xn-person">Rudi Sodamin</span> was named Best Cruise Line Master Chef by <em>Porthole Cruise Magazine</em>.</p>
<p><strong>About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:  &nbsp; CCL and CUK)]&nbsp; </strong></p>
<p>Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span>'s  fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises 354 ports in 98  countries, territories or dependencies.&nbsp; Two- to 110-day itineraries  visit all seven continents and highlights include <span class="xn-location">Antarctica</span>, <span class="xn-location">South America</span>, <span class="xn-location">Australia</span>/<span class="xn-location">New Zealand</span> and <span class="xn-location">Asia</span> voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the <span class="xn-location">Caribbean</span>, <span class="xn-location">Bermuda</span>, <span class="xn-location">Alaska</span>, <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>, <span class="xn-location">Canada</span>/New England, <span class="xn-location">Europe</span> and Panama Canal.&nbsp;</p>
<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 &amp; Wine  magazine &mdash; a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60  celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking  demonstrations and classes &mdash; Explorations Cafe powered by The <span class="xn-org">New York Times</span>,  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.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>World's Leading Cruise Lines</strong></p>
<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, Princess  Cruises, 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.</p>