Mollie Ahlstrand to Host Fall Culinary Cruise on Silversea

Top rated Silversea, has slated Ethiopian-born, Italian-trained culinary expert Mollie Ahlstrand to sail as guest chef aboard the ultra-luxurious Silver Wind this fall. Ahlstrand will tantalize gourmands with the secrets of her award-winning Italian cuisine during the vessel's September 29, 2008 Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Rome with calls in the south of France, Monaco, Sicily, and Italy's
Amalfi Coast.

Recipient of the prestigious 2007 International Star Diamond Award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, Mollie is the chef-owner of the acclaimed Trattoria Mollie in Montecito, California. Trattoria Mollie is
recognized by National Geographic as one of the "Ten Best Destination & Special Restaurants in the World" in their book, "Ten Best of Everything." She has been profiled in 'O', the Oprah Magazine, and her restaurant is a favorite with local Hollywood celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

During the nine-day cruise aboard the intimate 296-passenger Silver Wind, Chef Mollie will host cooking classes and demonstrations, discussions on food and wine pairings, and walking tours highlighting her specialty, the cuisine of Italy. Ports of call include Vendres and Cassis, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Portofino, Livorno, and Sorrento, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; and Rome. Guests may extend their stay in Rome with an optional, three-night post-cruise luxury hotel program with the chance to join Chef Mollie on a walking exploration of her favorite Roman sights, restaurants, shops and more.

"My approach to cooking is similar to my approach to life. Keep it simple, eat only fresh foods, and balance the diet with an emphasis on fresh, organic vegetables, and the freshest line caught seafood," said Mollie.
"Italian cuisine is well rounded. Bordered on three sides by the sea, it has many nouvelle and tasty ways to prepare fish. Pasta is a staple in the Italian diet, but is rarely eaten as the sole dish in the meal. There are numerous varieties of pasta and sauces to accompany it, but is the start of a great meal. Small portions, fresh foods, and simple preparation are my guide to good eating-and we will explore that on this voyage."

Guests will find their epicurean adventure enriched by the Silver Wind's state-of-the art culinary theater equipped with professional-caliber appliances and cookware custom designed by Viking Range. The six-star, all-inclusive vessel offers discerning diners a choice of four top class restaurants, The Restaurant, La Terrazza, Poolside Grill or the intimate Wine Restaurant by Relais & Châteaux designed to celebrate the rich heritage of some of the world's most distinguished wine regions. Silversea is a member cruise line of the exclusive Relais & Châteaux - Relais & Gourmand international association.

Prices for this exciting culinary cruise begin at $6,236 per person including a 20% savings. For more information and a Silversea brochure contact Michael Mastrocola at msmastrocola@sbcglobal.net, 831-659-0151, 800-304-6838 access code 00, or visit www.mmtravel.net.

About Mollie Ahlstrand

Ethiopian born Mollie Ahlstrand mastered her culinary skills in Rome at Arturo's (a favorite of the late Pope John Paul II) and in Bologna and Umbria, Italy, before relocating to Montecito, CA (near Santa Barbara) to open Trattoria Mollie in 1992. Since then it has become a favorite of many Hollywood celebrities and internationally known personalities including Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Troy Aikman, and Oprah Winfrey, who loved her turkey meatballs so much she featured them on her show. In 2007 The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences honored Mollie with its coveted International Star Diamond Award. Trattoria Mollie is recognized by National Geographic as one of the "Ten Best Destination & Special Restaurants in the World" in their book, "Ten Best of Everything." Mollie was also profiled in the May 2002 issue of O, the Oprah Magazine, and has been a guest chef for Grand Hyatt Hotels in Hong Kong, in Dubai, UAE; and in West Palm Beach, Florida at the 2007 International Polo Convention.