Master Chef Competition for Superyachts

Superyacht Chef Competition


The Yacht Club de Monaco is partnering with Bluewater to organise a culinary competition for superyacht chefs.

For the second consecutive year they are bringing together 12 superyacht chefs over 40 metres in length.

The club’s idea behind the event taking place on 18th April, is to highlight certain trades of the Yachting – the 4th largest industry in the Principality.  It also seeks to position Monaco as a centre of excellence in the yachting sector.

La Belle Classe Academy

It is all part of the club’s “La Belle Classe Academy” training centre, dedicated to professionals in the Yachting industry.

Under the presidency of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, the competition is made up of four 30-minute rounds.  During each of which three chefs must prepare an original dish based on a basket of “mystery” ingredients given to.

Fresh products and fresh herbs will be at their disposal to sublimate the mystery ingredients. Only three finalists will be able to compete in a grand finale. They will then have just 45 minutes to make another dish with imposed ingredients.

Some of the greatest names from the catering world will taste, score and select the winner.

They include:

  • Virginie Basselot a Michelin star chef at Saint James in Paris.
  • Jacques Maximin Michelin star winner Elected twice as chef of the year
  • Thierry Thiercelin the current Chef at YCM.
  • Christian Plumail Previously Chef Thiercelin at the YCM.
  • Chef Cedric Seguela Founder of Secrets de cuisines in Antibes. 

Throughout the competition, chefs will be supported by their owners and crew from each competing yacht. 

Mixology Competition

A Mixology Competition will also be organised during the same day, led by YCM bartender Giorgio Rocchino. He has been voted best Italian Bartender and 3rd in Europe.

Nine candidates will have to prepare a cocktail with prescribed ingredients. And they will only have 10 minutes to make their beverage, while following very strict rules.

Only three will be chosen as winners, judged by 3 judges of excellence in this field.

This is a major challenge for these qualified bartenders and hopefully prove to be of interest to other yacht crew.

A “Destination Barman” training course is available at the YCM. It is aimed to meet the most demanding requirements of superyacht owners and their guests on board.