When we talk about gastronomy on board a superyacht, we’re talking about one of the most exceptional elements of a cruise, a rare moment in life when a professional chef makes all your culinary wishes come true. Long, peaceful meals on deck, overlooking the surrounding waters and surrounded by family and friends, are among the greatest pleasures to be experienced on a superyacht. The crew is dedicated to making these moments among the most memorable and enjoyable. From impeccable silver service to exquisite meals concocted with the freshest produce, the taste lingers long after the cruise is over. Let’s take a look at everything it takes to create one of the world’s most prestigious culinary experiences.
A Private Chef for a Personalized Experience
Gastronomy on board a superyacht is a tailor-made approach, where menus are designed according to guests’ preferences. Whether it’s food allergies, specialized diets or personal preferences, our chefs cater to every wish and ensure that every dish is perfect.
Days start with a magnificent breakfast, featuring local fruits, freshly baked breads and hot à la carte dishes. Whether you prefer a simple croissant or eggs Benedict with all the trimmings, the chef will prepare your order. Lunch, whether on board or on a nearby beach, is often lighter, with a main course and dessert, accompanied by exceptional wines. On the beach, you can enjoy bright salads and grilled meats, or freshly caught fish, while on the yacht, more refined dishes can be savored.
Dinner is usually the high point of the day, with formal service. A sumptuously laid table awaits you, complete with bespoke tablecloths, elegant crockery and cutlery, and extravagant flowers and centerpieces to match the theme of the meal. Every meal is an occasion to celebrate aboard a superyacht, and the table is just the starting point. Whether it’s a seven-course tasting menu or a classic three-course menu, every dish is served with panache and elegance.
Specialty Diets and International Flavors
Superyacht chefs are among the best in the world, having spent years in restaurant kitchens alongside Michelin-starred chefs before turning to yachts. In the off-season, they take the time to expand their culinary skills, traveling the world to take courses in Japanese sushi, Thai cuisine, pastry, vegan and ketogenic cooking, among others. This diverse range of skills sets them apart from a restaurant chef, who cooks in the style and for the specific clientele of the restaurant. On a yacht, every guest is different, and with evolving culinary tastes and greater awareness of health and well-being through food, requests can be specific and pointed.
Although every chef has a preferred style of cooking and dishes he or she is particularly fond of, the primary role of the chef is to adapt to the guests’ tastes. Whether vegetarian or vegan, dairy-free or nut-free, Halal or Kosher, a suitable chef will be available. Just as brokers are able to match guests to a yacht with a particular layout or equipment, they will ensure that the chef is able to cater to specific diets. They invest time in getting to know the chefs, who in turn acquire excellent reputations within the industry.
Freshness first
It’s a well-known fact that when it comes to food, freshness comes first. However, the very nature of a superyacht means that this can sometimes be a challenge. A yacht sailing to the most remote islands in the Pacific or Indian Oceans will find it difficult to source specific cuts of meat or fish, or fruit and vegetables that are not local. While nothing is impossible for a superyacht – and there are many stories of yachts flying in bagels from a New York grocery store by private plane, or sourcing $2,500 Yubari King melons from Japan – chefs tend to use the fresh produce at their disposal.
It’s now common for chefs to get up early and head ashore to visit local markets, ensuring that the produce they cook with is as fresh as possible. The result is a culinary experience truly rooted in terroir, whether it’s charcuterie and fresh vegetables from Spain, octopus and freshly caught fish from Greece, or tropical fruits and sea fish from the Caribbean. Inspired dishes or traditional fare can be created, and using what’s available, their creativity is limitless, offering guests products of unrivalled freshness.
Towards a Healthy Culinary Experience
It’s clear that the fine dining sector aboard luxury yachts is now moving away from the heaviness and richness once associated with this lifestyle. As wellness aboard superyachts becomes more sought-after than ever, food is now reflecting this healthier lifestyle. So while you’re on a culinary journey to remember, you don’t have to worry about the numbers on the scale. With fresh produce, clever culinary techniques and a focus on flavor, guests can pamper their bodies while enjoying an unforgettable culinary experience.
To embark on your own culinary epic, contact ATI YACHTS to discuss your next cruise and let us find you the perfect superyacht chef to create wonders for you and your group.
