Cruise & cuisine
MEET THE IRON CHEF
Masaharu Morimoto — known to millions as the star of Iron Chef and head judge on Morimoto ’ s Sushi Master — on his culinary journey and joining Holland America Line
Above from left : Holland America Line ’ s Westerdam in Glacier Bay , Alaska ; chef Masaharu Morimoto ; the dining room aboard Holland America Line ’ s Koningsdam
Have you always wanted to be a chef ? I wanted to be a baseball player but injured my shoulder early in my sporting career . It was then that I turned to sushi — something I ’ ve always been very fond of .
How did you come to work with a cruise line ? Choosing to partner with Holland America Line was an easy and natural decision to make . Having witnessed firsthand the company ’ s passion for high-quality ingredients , and the care put into every step of its culinary programs , I knew this would be a seamless collaboration . I ’ m really honored to share the kitchen with talented chefs as we continue to craft menus we know our guests will love .
What does your work with HAL involve ? As Holland America Line ’ s Fresh Fish Ambassador , my work involves collaborating with its culinary team to recreate and adapt many of my signature dishes to fit the needs of the ship ’ s kitchen — all while ensuring guests are treated to a memorable meal . I also help plan new dishes , using fresh fish from ports of call . The cruise line has a global network of 60 ports and serves 80 types of fresh fish , which means the fish goes from port to plate in less than 48 hours .
How has traveling impacted you ? My travels have greatly influenced my cuisine and philosophy in the kitchen . Over decades of visiting different parts of the world and experiencing various food cultures , I ’ ve come to deeply respect both tradition and innovation . I always taste and learn from local dishes that have been perfected over generations .
How do you use seasonal ingredients at sea ? Working with local suppliers provides opportunities to source seasonal ingredients that incorporate the traditions of the destinations we ’ re visiting . These collaborations allow me to include regional specialties and introduce guests to the diverse and exciting culinary offerings of Holland America Line ’ s vibrant array of destinations .
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