Royal Caribbean and The Culinary Institute of America Announce Finalists for Allure of the Seas Culinary Challenge

MIAMI, July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Royal Caribbean International has put a new twist on a job search to find the Chef de Cuisine of 150 Central Park, the signature restaurant onboard Allure of the Seas, the cruise line's newest ship which will make her debut in December 2010 and share the title of world's largest and most innovative cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas.  Now it is America's turn to help Royal Caribbean choose the perfect candidate.  

Thanks to a partnership with The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world's premier culinary college, the cruise line recently launched the Allure of the Seas Culinary Challenge, a contest open exclusively to graduates of the CIA with either a bachelor's or associate degree.  Alumni were invited to enter for a shot at the job of a lifetime – a one-year paid contract to be the Chef de Cuisine of 150 Central Park onboard Allure of the Seas.  Entrants were required to create an original, signature recipe that could potentially be featured on the menu of 150 Central Park, as well as submit a video entry to www.AllureOfTheSeas.com demonstrating the preparation of the dish.  

The submission period has ended and six chefs have been selected as finalists for their culinary prowess and creativity.  They will each participate in a final challenge at the college's Hyde Park campus in New York on Thursday, August 5 and Friday, August 6, where they will be required to conduct an interview with, as well as prepare a three-course meal for, an esteemed panel of judges from Royal Caribbean and The Culinary Institute of America, who will ultimately select the Chef de Cuisine.  The culinary challenge will be documented in a series of webisodes on www.AllureOfTheSeas.com.  The finalists are:

• Maureen Brandt, Stillwater, Minn.
• Anthony Burd, Belvidere, N.J.
• Daniel Fein, Rochester Hills, Mich.
• Wright Harrison, Richmond, Va.
• Martin Horsey, Houston, Texas
• Beth LittleJohn, Durham, N.C.

The tables are turned and now it's up to the public to help give their favorite chef a boost. Consumers are encouraged to cast their votes once a day now through Sunday, July 18th for the chef they think should win.  The chef with the highest number of votes will be named the "Fan Favorite" and awarded additional points to his/her overall score at the final challenge, where one will be named the winner!  Not only will the votes help set a course of the high seas for one talented chef's career, but with each vote cast, consumers will automatically be entered for their chance to win a trip for two to a preview sailing onboard Allure of the Seas, where they will be one of the first guests on the new ship, enjoy a cooking demonstration with the winning chef, as well as a memorable dinner at 150 Central Park!  

Located in the lush and tropical grounds of the ship's Central Park neighborhood, 150 Central Park will feature decor that will embrace the mellow earth tones, unique textiles and fixtures inspired by nature's four seasons. Inspired by the simple elegance concept of trend-setting restaurants in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, each detail of 150 Central Park will be dedicated to enhancing the dining ambiance, from the tabletops to the service team uniforms. The restaurant menu and certain design aspects will be developed and determined by the winning chef of the Allure of the Seas Culinary Challenge.

Allure of the Seas shares the title of the world's largest and most revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas will tout Royal Caribbean's exclusive neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which will include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will alternate a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean seven-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at www.AllureoftheSeas.com.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and one under construction. The line also offers unique cruisetour land packages in Alaska, Dubai, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and South America. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.royalcaribbean.com  or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Travel professionals should visit www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean International