“We are energized by welcoming aboard Graeme to round out our team of experienced and inspired culinary professionals. Graeme’s breadth of experience and caliber of cuisine will enhance our cruise guests’ experience exponentially to rival the best land restaurants, hotels and resorts,” remarked Peter Tobler, Director of Hotel Operations.
Chef Cockburn begins immediately and is responsible for elevating the guest dining experience by developing destination-centric recipes and menu cycles that celebrate the authentic cuisine of the regions where the boutique line sails. Serving up to 148, 212 or 310 guests each cruise, the intimate size of Windstar’s small ships allows the new Corporate Executive Chef to source local ingredients, re-master and expand the popular “Shop with the Chef Local Market Tours,” developing new programs and culinary experiences to further immerse guests in the greater cultural community.
Cockburn has enjoyed an illustrious career established early on as an innovator affiliated with the crème de la crème of cuisine, including formative training at world-famous The Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland, the Royal Scotsman train, London’s exclusive Boodles private club, and the Pompadour Restaurant Edinburgh which was named top restaurant of Scotland during Cockburn’s tenure. The celebrated chef trained with Michelin-awarded chefs including; Michel Roux, London; Michel Guerard, South of France; and at the Hotel De Crillon, Paris.
Windstar was recently named the “Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation,” and as such, Cockburn also will be responsible for developing the onboard “Culinary Demonstrations Powered by the James Beard Foundation.” Recipes developed for that program will harness the talents and work of James Beard Foundation guest chefs who sail with Windstar as part of the James Beard Foundation Culinary Cruise Collection, a series of sailings hosted by well-known chefs from around North America.
Cockburn answered the allure of travel when recruited by the venerable Cunard line to introduce the Queen Mary II. Cockburn went on to establish a name synonymous with success in the cruise industry also working in various culinary capacities for Princess Cruises, and Seabourn developing and re-imagining comprehensive culinary operations, Cockburn has partnered with esteemed chefs such as Charlie Palmer, Daniel Boulud, Todd English and Curtis Stone to introduce new cuisine concepts at sea, and has prepared cuisine for audiences live and on television and radio.
Cockburn trained with the prestigious British Transport Hotels (BTH) Group and signed his apprenticeship within the group and attended courses at the Executive Management Leadership Program UCLA Anderson School of Management. He holds a degree in culinary management, and won the following:
- Gold Medal Hot Kitchen – Hot Chef Competition, Glasgow, Scotland
- Gold Medal Hot Kitchen – Hotel Olympia Competition, London, United Kingdom
- Young Chef of the Year United Kingdom
Cockburn also won medals and acknowledgments for Cold Larder work within the clubs of London, was invited to cook at Buckingham Palace for the Queen of England at a state honors event, and was invited to perform as guest chef for a charity event for the Culinary School of Alaska in Anchorage.
A native of Scotland, Cockburn will work aboard Windstar’s three sailing ships and three all-suite yachts deployed to destinations around the globe; and will work at times at Windstar’s Seattle headquarters.
The industry leader in small ship cruising, Windstar was recently voted #1 Best Boutique Cruise Line by readers of USA Today and was named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Gold List. The line offers more than 250 cruises annually sailing to 170 ports worldwide with new cruise destinations offered in Arabia in 2017; and in 2018 will offer new deployments to Asia, Alaska, British Columbia, and Eastern Canada and New England; as well as dozens of new ports in Europe.
For additional information on Windstar’s fleet of six small ships and private yacht-style cruising, contact a travel professional or Windstar Cruises by phone at 877-958-7718, by email info@windstarcruises.com, or visit www.windstarcruises.com.
