Cunard Hosts Culinary Event for the James Beard Foundation

A culinary event was recently held in Brooklyn, New York; not, as one might expect, in a restaurant but on a cruise ship. And not just any cruise ship; it was the Cunard Lines flagship, the Queen Mary 2. Docking at the port in Brooklyn, the foodie event on board the Queen Mary 2 was hosted by Jean-Marie Zimmermann, Cunard’s Executive Chef for the James Beard Foundation.

The James Beard Foundation, based in New York City, is an organization that explores how food improves people’s lives, and organizes a variety of programs teaching about food techniques. There is an award ceremony held every year that is considered to be one of the most esteemed honors in the culinary world. As a renowned organization relating to the culinary arts, it is quite an honor to be invited to host an event, and Chef Zimmermann joins other greats such as Emeril Lagasse, Jacques Pepin and Nobu Matsuhisa as those who have titillated taste buds of the Foundation members.

Beginning with a cocktail reception in the Chart Room of Cunard‘s Queen Mary 2, the event progressed to a four course luncheon in the Britannia Restaurant. Chef Zimmermann, who oversees the culinary processes on all of Cunard’s ships, has a long and illustrious award winning career as chef. He has a long career in cruise ship culinary arts, as well, beginning with the position as corporate chef for Celebrity Cruises which led to his current Executive Chef appointment with Cunard.

Cunard Lines is a luxury cruise line, with the most famous royal ships in the world. Queen Victoria and the Queen Mary 2 will soon be joined by the Queen Elizabeth; due to make her debut in the fall of 2010. The combination of exquisite foods and luxurious cruising is just part of the features that make Cunard one of the top 10 largest cruise lines in the country.