Ponant Explorations says its tradition of “French refinement at sea,” led by its gastronomy, will reach a pinnacle in 2027. Available aboard Le Commandant Charcot, home to Nuna—the only Alain Ducasse restaurant at sea—Ponant will be introducing a partnership with Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, touted as “the world’s most prestigious gastronomic society.”This partnership will come to life for the 15 January 2027, eight-night ‘The Gulf of Bothnia, at the Gateway to the Arctic’ sailing. Departing from Finnish Lapland and sailing to Helsinki, the itinerary explores the Baltic Sea’s northernmost reaches.Subscribe to LATTE Cruise’s free eNewsletter to keep up to date with everything in the luxury cruise space.Through the partnership, guests will be joined by culinary and diplomatic luminaries including Chef Cristeta Comerford, the longest-serving Executive Chef at the White House; Guillaume Gomez, former head chef of the Élysée Palace and France’s first Ambassador for Gastronomy; Sylvie Bermann, one of France’s most respected diplomats; and Gilles Bragard, founder of the Club des Chefs des Chefs. Throughout the sailing, there will be a series of curated meals by Chefs’ Comerford and Gomez, culinary demonstrations, tastings and discussions exploring the role of cuisine in diplomacy.About Le Club des Chefs des Chefs: It was “founded on the belief that cuisine
can serve as a powerful tool for diplomacy.” To qualify for membership, one must serve as the official chef to a president, monarch or head of state—or be the executive chef of the official residence that hosts state functions.Le Commandant Charcot is a luxury icebreaker, and all of its staterooms and suites have private balconies or terraces. Public spaces include the glass-enclosed Observation Lounge, firelit Main Lounge, open-air Blue Lagoon deck with heated seating and a spa that houses a snow room, sauna and an indoor pool.
