Yacht Chef

What is a Yacht Chef?

A Yacht Chef is a professional cook who can follow the instructions of the Executive Chef and pass them on to the galley team. If there is no executive chef on the yacht, the chef will assume full command of the galley team and the galley. Chef is an experienced person trained in upscale restaurants and private families.

The Yacht Chef may be responsible for training cooks and their learning, management of the galley, its maintenance in good order, management of food stock, implementation of safety and hygiene standards in the galley, cooking meals and dressing dishes. In addition, the chef follows the expense budget entrusted to him/her by his/her employer or by the executive chef. The chef should have great adaptability and flexibility. This job requires insistence on high standards and rigorousness appreciated by employers.

This role is more demanding than that of an onshore chef, with yacht chefs needing to be on call 24/7. Individuals in this role can expect early mornings and late nights, with the majority of the day spent preparing for the next dishes to be served and anticipating the impromptu needs of charter guests.

What skills does a yacht chef need?

There are several practical and theoretical skills needed to be a yacht chef, of which include:

• Excellent management and organisational skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, especially when working as part of an ensemble
• Adept in a kitchen, especially in a galley where the space can be limited
• Exceptional personal and kitchen hygiene standards
• An ability to follow safety regulations
• A creative flair infused into their working approach
• A passion for the culinary arts
• Leadership skills

What salary does a yacht chef earn?

The industry average can be varied for this role, depending on factors like the length of the charter, the duration of the season, the size of the team and the responsibilities they’ll undertake. Typically, the bigger the yacht, the larger the salary is.