The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), unveils its latest collaboration with Assouline: Epicurean Journeys, a hardcover collection of original recipes by renowned chefs, including: Chef Jose Andres, Geoffrey Zakarian, Stephanie Le Quellec, Daniele Turco, Manjit Gill and more. Available for Holiday 2014, the limited edition book will retail with set of five exclusive spices created by Lior Lev Sercarz, owner of La Bote in New York City, and inspired by the brands destinations around the world.

Like The Luxury Collection, spice blending is all about storytelling; so I was thrilled to create a collection of custom spices that bring treasured travel memories to life for global travelers, without having to leave the kitchen, says Lior Lev Sercarz. Each of the blends is inspired by the explorers that played a pivotal role in the history of the spice trade - transporting new flavors to curious palates and paving the way for travelers to dream of faraway places.

The five spice blends, developed exclusively for Epicurean Journeys, celebrate travel and are inspired by great global explorers of the past, including: Marco, a blend inspired by Marco Polos voyage through the Malacca Strait and the Indian Ocean; Magellan, a blend inspired by the varied curries of Asia and the explorer who first opened these flavors up to the western world; Colombo, a tribute to one of world historys most fortuitous accidents, a versatile blend of fragrant wild herbs including oregano, and thyme, with red chilis, to conjure the marinated meats and the stews and sauces of the region; Vasco celebrates Vasco da Gamas monumental voyage which opened the wealth of India, bringing together allspice, ginger, and cinnamon, marrying sweet and savory in intricate and mysterious ways; and Veneti is a tribute to Venice, the crossroads of the Eastern spice trade, blending the high-quality gray salt harvested around Europe with the orange citrus of the south and the heat of the Basque Espelette pepper.

The Luxury Collection has always celebrated exceptional culinary experiences as a way to transport travellers and bring a location to life, says Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and W Hotels Worldwide. We are excited to introduce Epicurean Journeys to our guests, who we know have an insatiable appetite to travel, explore and discover.

In addition to vibrant recipes from The Luxury Collections acclaimed roster of chefs, Epicurean Journeys is punctuated by passages from a group of high-profile global explorers, including revered food critic Ruth Reichl, who opines on the flavors that define her home city of New York; Elettra Wiedemann, who shares her most memorable meal from an unforgettable trip to Peru with her husband; acclaimed author and model, Sophie Dahl, who shares her love of Indonesian cuisine; Helena Christensen, who recollects her love affair with Italian food; and acclaimed singer and songwriter, Jamie Cullum, who explains the way two of his passions - music and food - intersect in London.

With inspiring recipes, culinary tips, and captivating stories, The Luxury Collections Epicurean Journeys brings to life the brands mantra, Life is a collection of experiences. Let us be your guide. Exclusively offered at Assouline boutiques around the world and www.luxurycollection.com/assouline, Epicurean Journeys will retail for usd $150 beginning in October 2014.