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Four-times Michelin-star chef Daniel Galmiche will celebrate the best of French cuisine with guests on new ship Spirit of Adventure’s 12-night all-inclusive A Taste of France and Spain cruise in September 2020.

On board the all-balcony ship chef Daniel, whose regular TV appearances include BBC’s Saturday Kitchen, will hold masterclasses and work alongside the executive chef to create regional specialities.

During ports of call the cruise-loving chef will also jump ashore to go food shopping and says ‘he can’t wait’ to buy produce and share his love of ‘proper French-Mediterranean cooking’ with guests.

From Montoir, he and guests will visit the Loire Valley and an overnight stop in Bordeaux will provide more opportunities to buy wine, cheese and local specialities.

Daniel, who was brought up to appreciate organic food at his great aunt’s smallholding in the Franche-Comté region of France, said: “From an early age I understood ‘happy farming’. The animals and poultry were very well looked after but I always knew they would go in the family pot. It was the reward of happy farming.

“All around me was great cooking and baking, too, and my passion continues – I love a proper French brasserie, it is the best kind of restaurant.”

Daniel, whose new restaurant The Pot Kiln opens in Berkshire in September, is enthusiastic about menus on cruise ships. He said: “The quality is so high. There is a choice of specialty restaurants and so often the chance to enjoy a barbecue out on the deck, that’s really nice.

“I also think the standards of accommodation and comfort, all the fine white linen, make cruising such a superb experience. When you are on a luxury ship like Spirit of Adventure the ambience, friendliness and the nice pace of life make it feel like being in a village. I am really looking forward to being on board to meet the executive chef, the guests and get cooking.”

Expert wine writer and broadcaster Ewan Lacey, of Channel 4’s The Cookery School, will also join the cruise to share his knowledge at tastings and during tours to wine regions.

In Bordeaux, guests can also explore the cellars of a wine estate and in Spain, there’s an opportunity to drink local Rias Baixas wine from a traditional bowl in Pontevedra.

The 999-passenger boutique ship also calls into Leixoes for Oporto in Portugal, Brest in France, and St Peter Port in Guernsey.

For details visit saga.co.uk/ocean-cruises or call 0800 50 50 30.

12 nights from £3,107 per person aboard Spirit of Adventure, departing Dover on September 28, 2020.

Price includes UK travel package up to 250 miles to Dover and from Southampton, all meals and entertainment, all-inclusive drinks (a choice of table wines at lunch and dinner, house-branded spirits and soft drinks, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party and unlimited tea and coffee in selected venues), free wifi, all on-board gratuities, porterage, free shuttle bus to nearest town centre (whenever possible and when the ship is berthed more than 500 yards away), optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if passenger has own insurance.

All excursions mentioned are optional, at an additional cost, and are subject to availability and change. Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions or by exploring independently.

Price is per person based on two people sharing the lowest available Standard balcony cabin and includes any relevant booking discount. Fare was correct at the time of sending and is subject to availability and change. Further terms and conditions apply. Please call for details.