The Chef’s Table on the Carnival Elation

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Last Updated on 2020-10-23 by Linda

My last cruise on the Carnival Elation offered us one of the most exciting “excursions” to date. And it was actually on the ship. Kent and I opted to participate in The Carnival Chef’s Table and it was a culinary delight.  Each participant not only gets to experience a gastronomic extravaganza but are offered a true behind the scenes tour and experience.

I cannot stress enough that the staff of the Carnival Elation went out of their way to ensure an exquisite culinary experience.

Carnival Chef’s Table Experience

The Carnival Chef’s Table is offered as an on ship excursion and one I encourage you to try.  Just in case you are hesitating about the experience let me take you on a tour of our culinary experience.

Our  table included nineteen strangers who bonded over the experience.  Arranging to meet in the  Atrium Bar we were greeted with Champagne. What followed was a quick presentation about the food and the ship.  It is amazing how much preparation must take place before a ship sails.

Quick question. Did you know that no food can be brought on board at any port? This means that all meal planning for all passengers happens before sailing. Imagine, I cannot even meal plan a week for myself let alone 2400 other people.

The Chef of the Ship

Our most delightful host Chef Seenake was informative and entertaining.  To truly illustrate the personal aspect of the experience Kent and I ran into Chef on the second cruise and he remembered us.

Out of all the passengers and the various Chef’s Tables they offer, he has an attention to detail that made the experience memorable for all. On a side note, they normally only run a very few Chef’s Tables on each cruise so book early.

Out of 2400 people usually only 14 up to 52 get to experience this meal.  Some ship’s only run one Chef’s table while others may host up to three.

Behind the Scenes in the Galley

Appetizer after appetizer kept appearing as the sous chef’s explained the working of the galley. The tour started out with an incredible Mango Sphere on a rosemary biscuit.  This incredible sphere was filled with a refreshing mango juice and had to be eaten in one bite.  

We had barely sampled the mango when yet another sous chef appeared carrying a tray of Salmon Tartar Cornets with Sesame seeds.

As if the Salmon was not enough of a surprise a tray of Beef Carpaccio on an air pillow, served with Chocolate Bacon and apple ribbons soon appeared.

Presentation was unbelievable and with each course we were regaled with tales of how the ship operates, food prep and fun food statistics.  Did you know that on a ship the size of the Elation with about 2400 passengers they will serve and prepare over 900 Carnival Melting Cake Desserts?  And I probably consumed a good portion of that.

A double cooked lamb Tapioca was the final appetizer . Four amazing and decadent appetizers meant to tease the palette.

Carnival Melting Cake Dessert

Can there be a behind the scene tour of a Carnival ship without looking at the Melting Cake process? Our final stop in the galley was a highlight for this cruiser.  Watching them make the melting cake and discovering the secrets.  Big hint, this excursion involves getting your own copy of the secret recipe.

Amazing how so few ingredients can come together and make something so delicious. I had tried this dessert at home last Valentine’s Day but it didn’t taste quite right.  Know why, room temperature eggs, who knew.  The secret is room temperature ingredients.  Plus making 900 a week to perfect your skill.

The Main Course, Carnival Chef’s Table

Following the galley tour and Melting Cake demonstration we were ready for dinner.  The tour had barely ended and  we were already getting full.  Dinner still awaited.  Chef lead us back to the library where the table had been set.

Carnival Chef’s Table had seven tantalizing courses with a wine pairing.  Anxious to learn the menu? Well let’s keep that a surprise until tomorrow shall we.  Tune in tomorrow for thefull menu offered on the Carnival Elation.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Small tip, make the experience memorable.  Talk to your table mates, discover who you are dining with and dress like it matters. #chefstable #carnivalcruise” quote=”Small tip, make the experience memorable.  Talk to your table mates, discover who you are dining with and dress like it matters.”]