• The 2026 sailings mark the tenth anniversary of the culinary partnership between Windstar Cruises and the James Beard Foundation
• Five acclaimed James Beard Foundation-affiliated chefs are hosting voyages, each focusing on unique regional culinary traditions and destinations
• The program is enhanced by an exclusive collaboration with GALLO Luxury Wine, providing guests with rare, premium wine pairings typically reserved for private tasting
• Guests enjoy an immersive culinary experience on board, including live cooking demonstrations, chef-led market tours, and intimate four-course dinner pairings

Windstar Cruises is marking a significant milestone in its successful, decade-long partnership with the James Beard Foundation by announcing five new, globally recognized chefs for the 2026 culinary sailings. This collaboration is rooted in a shared passion for culinary excellence, celebrating chefs who embody creativity, cultural leadership, and a deep connection to regional traditions. For 2026, the voyages will feature an exciting new element: exclusive wine pairings from the GALLO Luxury Wine portfolio. These premium vintages, typically reserved for private tasting rooms, will elevate the experience further, allowing guests to enjoy rare, exquisite pairings perfectly matched to the chefs’ unique four-course dinners.

The distinguished lineup of James Beard Foundation-affiliated chefs offers an exceptional variety of regional expertise across five distinct itineraries. Chef José Garzón brings vibrant Latin American cuisine to the Mayan Legacies sailing in the uncommon Caribbean. Chef Belinda Bishop focuses on traditional Caribbean flavors during a relaxing Beach Fun & Sun escape. The mother-daughter team Kirsten and Mandy Dixon showcase bold Alaskan frontier cuisine while cruising majestic glaciers and fjords. Two-Michelin-star Chef Gabriel Kreuther headlines the French Feast journey, sharing his Alsatian-inspired mastery. Finally, Chef David Uygur blends Italian, Balkan, and Mediterranean traditions on the Classic Italy and Dalmatian Coast voyage, which also features Denner Vineyards.

Guests aboard these intimate yachts can expect a truly immersive world of flavor. The culinary experiences go beyond dinner, inviting travelers to participate in live cooking demonstrations, join chef-led market tours to source local ingredients, and interact personally with the luminaries. This small-ship approach ensures an upscale yet relaxed sailing, accessing secluded beaches and remote destinations that bigger ships bypass. By blending exceptional, award-winning food and wine with authentic, inspiring exploration, Windstar continues to redefine the standards of luxury culinary travel at sea.