Guests traveling the Pacific Northwest with Lindblad Expeditions this fall will enjoy a culinary hint at a newly enhanced regional itinerary set to debut in 2012.
The new onboard dining program features a menu dominated by local and sustainable foods in addition to a selection of wines and craft beers that have gained the region international acclaim.
The culinary program is scheduled to launch next September aboard the 62-passenger National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion on a seven-day itinerary.
Highlights will include a trip to The Gorge White House, a 102-year-old working family farm that features breathtaking and panoramic views of both Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. Guests will be hosted by the farm’s owners Jerry and Camille, multigenerational farmers who grow heritage pears, apples, berries and greens using environmentally respectful and innovative techniques. The visit will culminate with a meal using farm ingredients, and served on the property’s garden patio.
Guests will also tour and taste the fruit of the vines from leading Columbia Gorge wineries. The focus on Pacific Northwest viticulture will continue back onboard, where an array of winning regional wines will be served, specially selected by Executive Chef Gary Jenanyan (former executive chef at Robert Mondavi Winery).
The experience of the voyage will be all the more authentic and delicious thanks to a new collaboration with the Portland-based Food Alliance that makes Lindblad Expeditions the only Food Alliance Supply Chain Ally in the travel industry.
Through independent inspections, this non-profit organization ensures that food is produced by well-treated workers, meat products come from humanely-raised animals, and that regional soil, water and wildlife habitat are protected and enhanced. A majority of the food served on the ship will be a reflection of their work.
Lindblad Expeditions and the Food Alliance will work together to highlight a variety of the region’s leading providers, including Country Natural Beef, a cooperative of 120 family ranches in 13 Western states; Tillamook Cheese, made up of 110 dairy farms committed to animal welfare and dating back to 1909; Draper Valley Farms, the pioneer of Washington and Oregon-raised fresh chicken since 1935, and many more.
