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Oprah’s personal chef joins Paul Gauguin’s star-studded guest line-up

Paul Gauguin Cruises has announced details of an array of 2012 itineraries with special interests to whet the appetite – from cooking and astronomy to marine biology.

And for these cruises on Paul Gauguin, pictured, it has lined up the services of special guests, such as Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef and orld-renowned oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau, to make them even more extraordinary.

The line-up

February 11: Daniel Baron, winemaker for Silver Oak Cellars will be joining the Paul Gauguin on this seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands sailing. Mr Baron was hand-selected to succeed Justin Meyer as winemaker in 1994 by the co-founder himself and since then has carried out the winery’s commitment of making only the finest Cabernet Sauvignon. Each bottle of Silver Oak is aged for nearly five years in American oak barrels, then in bottles so that it is “deliciously drinkable from the day it is released.” Mr Baron will lead a tasting with guests and will also present a lecture detailing his journey to winemaker, including his master’s studies in viticulture and explorations of France’s great wine regions.

March 3: Legendary celebrity chef Art Smith, Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef for 10 years, will join the 11-night Cook & Society Islands sailing, bringing his culinary expertise onboard The Paul Gauguin with a variety of cooking demonstrations and culinary excursions. He will also host a special event for Tahitian children demonstrating cooking techniques and lessons from his award-winning charity, Common Threads, not for profit.

June 2: Joining this seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands sailing is Bill Kramer, an acknowledged expert in solar eclipse prediction mathematics. Kramer will share with guests the opportunity to witness a rare astronomical event on 5th June – the Transit of Venus. Providing a unique opportunity to watch the solar system in motion, the event will last six hours and will not occur again until 2117.

June 23: Celebrated chef Jean-Pierre Vigato, Chef Propriétaire of the two-star Michelin-rated Restaurant Apicius in Paris, will prepare gourmet dishes and offer culinary demonstrations featuring his gastronomic techniques on this seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands sailing.

May 23 / July 11 / November 20 / December 1: World-renowned oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau will join these four sailings, providing lectures with videos of his work and accompanying guests on several dives throughout the cruise. Also available during June through August and select holiday cruises for a nominal fee of $299 per child is Mr Cousteau’s “Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Programme”, introducing young travellers (ages 9-17) to the natural wonders of French Polynesia through interactive, hands-on experiences with island ecosystems.

July 11: For music lovers, what is better than opera in the South Pacific? Join American lyric soprano Kristin Clayton, star of the world-premiere of At the Statue of Venus, and renowned bass-baritone Bojan Knezevic on this ten-night Society Islands & Tuamotus sailing for an extraordinary opportunity to hear these legendary performers in concert throughout the cruise.

September 1: Paul Gauguin Cruises is pleased to welcome marine biologist Dr Bruce Mate to this 11-night Australs & Society Islands sailing, during which his expertise of more than 40 years with marine mammals will enrich guests during a visit to a special sanctuary for humpback whales.

October 13: Join Todd Rustman and David Gianulias, co-founders of the famed Levendi Winery, on this seven-night sailing to Tahiti & the Society Islands, during which they will illustrate the Levendi legacy for guests – celebrating the art of fine wine and living. Co-founder of a financial management firm in Newport Beach, Todd Rustman has travelled the globe to hone his skills in the financial world and during the sailing will also share his financial expertise during a special lecture on wealth management.

December 1, 1, 22 and 29: Perfect for food and wine lovers, artist Guy Buffet, famous for his whimsical portraits of chefs, waiters and restaurant scenes, will join all December 2012 sailings, where he will conduct lectures and art demonstrations. His famed paintings will also be available for purchase, signed by the artist himself.