Held at the Yacht Club de Monaco under the aegis of YCM’s La Belle Classe Academy training centre in partnership with Bluewater, the annual Superyacht Chef competition highlights gastronomic excellence. This is the 14th event for Bluewater and the 5th co-hosted with the talented team at Monaco Yacht Club.
This event is unique in bringing together yacht owners and yacht club members with their captains and crew, all cheering on their chefs.
On Thursday 4th April, nine chefs will showcase their culinary prowess. Bluewater’s Head of Recruitment, Sharon Rose, has confirmed the participants this year, but is remaining tight-lipped with any comments on front contenders! “The talent this year is exceptional, it’s going to be a tough one for the judges, and I can’t wait to see Marco Tognon sitting on the panel! It will be a fantastic day.”
- Melvin Costaglioli – MY BLACK LEGEND
- Enzo Di Garbo – MY L.A.U.L
- Ava Faulkner – MY LIGHT HOLIC
- Jérémie Gruson – MY VICTORIA DEL MAR
- Margot Laurent – MY LEONARDO III
- JoelyAnne Lefaucheur – MY ARTEMIS
- Paulo Longhin – MY HERCULES
- Mateusz Mitka – MY LADY BRITT
- Giacomo Seregni – MY SEVERIN’S
As leaders of their profession, superyacht chefs are creative and knowledgeable. Bluewater’s Director of Training, John Wyborn, expressed his enthusiasm for the annual chef competition. “This event is a thrilling experience for everyone involved, with Michelin-star judges overseeing the competition among talented yacht chefs. Bluewater has been in the industry for 33 years, and this competition highlights the great strides the industry has made since then, with exceptionally high standards expected from all crew members onboard. Bluewater takes pride in collaborating with the Monaco Yacht Club and La Belle Classe Academy to organise the 5th Superyacht Chef Competition.”
Last year, Chef Marco Tognon from M/Y Planet Nine claimed top place during the competition with Chef Tommaso Santoni from M/Y Paloma coming second.
Chef Marco Tognon from M/Y Planet Nine won the 2023 Superyacht Chef Competition (photo: Antibes Yachting)
Recently, Chef Marco Tognon teamed up with YCM Executive Chef Renato Secchi to create a traditional “four-hand” dinner. The gourmet evening benefited the Association Antoine Alléno, honouring Chef Yannick Alleno’s late son.
I have interviewed many of the competing Chefs over the past few years who have a great sense of camaraderie even though they all work on vessels of varying sizes. It’s always lovely speaking to them about their backgrounds, with the Chefs undertaking everything from apprenticeships with Michelin restaurants to baking bread and setting up their own businesses before gaining yacht chef jobs.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The first three chefs are called for round 1, the mystery boxes are unveiled, and the audience is given 60 seconds to choose an ingredient to add in, so adaptability and improvisation to make quality dishes are crucial.
Michelin-starred Chef Glenn Viel will be watching over their shoulder, gastronomic TV and radio presenter Vincent Ferniot is holding court getting ready to start the countdown of 40 minutes, the chefs are in the pantry perusing a wide range of luxury produce and exotic condiments from Metro and Gourmet Deliveries, all to add to the spectacular recipe they’re working through in their heads. Then we do it all again for two more rounds, with more mystery boxes, before heading into the grand finale after lunch.
AGENDA
09.50-13.40: Three rounds, each with three chefs.
13.40-14.30: Jury deliberation and lunch break. Food trucks will be available.
14.00-17.00: The Bluewater and GDT bar serves complimentary drinks.
14.30: Announcement of the three finalists! Straight into the grand finale.
16.45-18:00: Announcement of the winner and the prize-giving ceremony.
Chef Nicolas Petit from M/Y Latitude won in 2022 (photo: Antibes Yachting)
THE JURY FOR THE SUPERYACHT CHEF COMPETITION 2024
This year, Chef Glenn Viel, a three-star chef at the Oustau de Baumière and a member of the Top Chef jury, is joining the event. Chef Joël Garault, the president of Goûts et Saveurs, will supervise the proceedings, and Chef Marco Tognon, the 2023 winner, will also be on the judging panel. Chef Danny Davies, Cheffe Victoria Vallenilla and Chef Julien Roucheteau also hold a spot on the jury. Additionally, Chef Duncan Biggs from Ocean Wave Monaco will oversee the produce being used and discarded as the ‘anti-waste’ judge. For the full jury lineup, see here: Superyacht Chef Competition Jury
You can watch the live stream of the Superyacht Chef Competition on WebTV channel ‘Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting’: https://webtv.monacocapitalyachting.com
The jury for the Superyacht Chef Competition includes top chefs and past contestants
MORE DETAILS:
Entry is by RSVP only: [email protected]
For more details including participating sponsors, go here: https://www.bluewateryachting.com/news/superyacht-chef-competition-the-chefs-are-in-1835
