Home » CRUISE NEWS » Join Chef Tom Wong For A South Pacific Culinary Experience On Paul Gauguin Cruises
Published on
November 2, 2025
Paul Gauguin Cruises invited celebrity chef Tom Wong to be part of the catering staff and create a special dining experience for the guests. For the 11-night “Cook Islands and Society Islands” voyage, which departs December 27, 2025, guests will be taken on a round-trip voyage from Tahiti to some of the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific. For this voyage, Chef Wong will provide a unique culinary experience for guests, which will include a series of cooking demonstrations, tastings, and lectures as part of the experience.
From the various dining options on the ship, which include Le Grill and La Veranda, and during the ship’s Polynesian Night, Chef Wong will have a special offering for guests. He will prepare a Hawaiian cuisine “fusion” meal with the ship’s trademark French crossed tropical dishes and will help to showcase the ship’s culinary artistry for that evening. This venture retains the Gauguin Cruises trademark of hosting a luxury all-inclusive trip where noted culinary artistry is an integral part of the luxurious travel experience.
Chef Tom Wong: A Culinary Expert All the Way to the High Seas
Chef Wong has spent the last 35 years in the luxury hospitality industry. He is also a professor at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. He has also shared his valuable knowledge and experience in the food sector and hospitality industry on television, being a guest on the Food Network and the Discovery Channel. He has a lot of experience in fine dining, which is why he is a great fit for Paul Gauguin Cruises, where food is a vital part of the service and is a focal point in the entire hospitality experience.
Wong has unique and amazing food is because of his background in Hawaiian and French tropical cuisine, one of the things that makes it amazing for the South Pacific. He will be cooking with seasonal local delicacies like tropical fruits, mahi mahi, moonfish, yellowfin tuna, and many more. He will make sure to use the local and seasonal food in French cuisine in a way that highlights the food. The food will tell people where they are, and will use a Hawaiian and French tropical fusion style for the South Pacific.
A Culinary Adventure Aboard Paul Gauguin
The New Year’s voyage aboard the Paul Gauguin offers more than just breathtaking views of the Pacific; it is a fully immersive culinary journey. During the course of the 11-night cruise, Chef Wong will lead several activities through which guests may engage with the content, including cooking demonstrations and various tasting events. These interactive culinary experiences give guests a rare opportunity to engage with a chef and learn the nuances of his preparation methods, as well as the various techniques that go into the creation of his distinctive, island-inspired meals.
As a part of this program, Chef Wong will also host a series of lectures where he will speak about his culinary journey and various cultures surrounding the ingredients he selects, which will deepen guests’ appreciation for the dishes served onboard. It is this cultural context that will redefine the meals onboard as a more meaningful culinary experience.
Itinerary: Remote South Pacific Islands
For this special New Year’s voyage, we will visit the most scenic spots in the South Pacific, letting you discover the best of the Cook Islands, Society Islands, and Paul Gauguin Cruises’ private islet, Motu Mahana. You will have the chance to experience Aitutaki’s beauty, one of the Cook Islands’ most famous islands, and take in its amazing lagoons and ideal beaches.
The voyage is also going to stop at the capital of the Cook Islands, Rarotonga. Here, visitors will be able to appreciate the beauty and relax on the soft, stunning beaches. Passengers will have the opportunity to experience the bliss of sea days where you can relax, snorkel, and kayak, or take in the many activities and the luxury of the ship. You can also join the other guests in the sea activities or take advantage of the luxury of the ship.
Dining: Culture and Flavor
The centerpiece of this experience is Chef Wong’s special menus. Chef Wong will prepare Paul Gauguin’s signature dishes for the Le Grill and La Veranda Restaurants. The menus will be of the ship’s Polynesian origin and will highlight the French South Pacific blend. The restaurants will serve grilled mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna tartar along with other local seafood and tropical fruits in pineapple and papaya. These dishes, along with other South Pacific ingredients, will be the highlight of the meal.
Connecting to the islands, each cruise comes with its own Polynesian Night. It is an evening filled with island-inspired Polynesian dishes prepared by the chef, gourmet food, and enjoying the South Pacific with the family and friends.
With each Paul Gauguin Cruises as well as cruise, the onboard culinary experience is included as well. This means there is no need to charge or worry about paying. This offers a value for those wanting comfort and luxury.
Not only does the cruise Paul Gauguin offer, but a variety of inclusive activities. This ranges from invigorating shows, entertainment, and on-land scenery all the way to the luxury and gourmet meals with the chef. Paul Gauguin Cruises is designed for all of the moments to offer a superior level of relaxation and exhilaration.
Final Thoughts: All the Best with Your Culinary Adventures and Island Experiences!
The Paul Gauguin Cruises New Year’s trip to the Cook Islands and Society Islands is a delightful way to enjoy fine dining and superb South Pacific cruises. Under the culinary direction of Chef Tom Wong, the combination of Hawaiian and French dishes will ensure the trip is a huge culinary Hawaii French polished culinary venture.
Dining and Cooking