From June through September 2008, visitors to the emerald city may experience the diversity of the region's local cuisine on a culinary tour with a premier chef from a top Seattle restaurant. Gray Line of Seattle has organized eight different culinary tours, including popular restaurants Crush and El Gaucho.

"People are looking for personal, interactive experiences during their vacations," said Judy Sprute, Gray Line of Seattle's director of sales. "We expect these tours to sell out quickly because they offer a very intimate experience with chefs at well-known Seattle restaurants. It's a unique way to experience the city."

The Chef will greet participants at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel and accompany them on a deluxe touring coach to their chosen market, which could be the Pike Place Market, a neighborhood farmer's market or local grocery. After shopping for the day's ingredients, it's off to the restaurant for a lively cooking demonstration. The Chef will lead participants through the steps of creating a dish while offering cooking tips and tricks of the trade -- and explaining how to translate it to meals at home. To conclude, the chef will dish up his or her specialty for everyone to enjoy.

Chef Jason Wilson of Crush, named best new chef of 2006 by Food & Wine Magazine, will lead a total of six culinary tours starring his award-winning modern Northwest cuisine. Fourteen more tours are offered at seven other notable Seattle restaurants. Seafood lovers will enjoy the tour to Waterfront Grill, Chandlers Crabhouse and Palisades, while steak aficionados will appreciate El Gaucho and Daniel's Broiler. Sky City dazzles with the revolving view -- a Seattle classic -- along with Pacific Northwest cuisine. Troiani specializes in steaks and seafood with flavors from Italy's Veneto region.

"This is the first year we are offering these culinary tours," said Sprute. "We've carefully chosen the participating restaurants to offer guests both a quality experience and a variety of cuisine."

Participating restaurants and tour dates:

Crush: June 28, 29; July 13, 27; August 24, 31

Sky City at the Space Needle: July 5; August 16

Chandlers Crabhouse on Lake Union: July 6

Daniel's Broiler at Lake Union: July 12

El Gaucho: July 19, 20; August 2, 17

Troiani Ristorante Italiano: July 26; August 9

Waterfront Grill: August 3, 10

Palisades: August 23, 30

Tours are $99.95 per person and depart from the Gray Line desk in the lobby of the Sheraton Seattle Hotel, located at 6th and Pike. Tours begin at 1:00pm and last about four hours. To book a tour, call 1-800-426-7532, or visit .

About Gray Line of Seattle

For more than 90 years, Gray Line of Seattle has been the area's premier full-service tour operator specializing in Pacific Northwest vacation packages, customized sightseeing and package tours, charter services, and airport shuttles to hotels and cruise ships. A division of Holland America Line, Inc., Gray Line of Seattle operates the largest fleet of luxury motor coaches in the Pacific Northwest. Information: 800/426-7505 or .

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]

Holland America Line's fleet of 13 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to more than 320 ports. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, including Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia and Grand World Voyages; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit .
Sarah Scoltock / Rose Abello
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206-262-5934