As the sails unfurl and the azure waters beckon, a different kind of battle is brewing aboard the superyachts of Monaco. The International Superyacht Chef Competition, organised by the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) in collaboration with Bluewater, is on the horizon.
“Every year, this event brings together talented chefs from all over the world, ready to take up the challenge of creating unforgettable culinary experiences,” says YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri. “As a showcase of gastronomic excellence on superyachts, the Superyacht Chef Competition continues to make its mark on the yachting world while promoting the values of our collective ‘Monaco Capital of Advanced Yachting’ approach.”
Last year’s culinary battle winners were YCM Executive Chef Renato Secchi and Chef Marco Tognon, with their traditional “four-hand” dinner. The gourmet evening benefited the Antoine Alléno Association, honoring star Chef Yannick Alleno’s late son.
Top chefs will select the winners
This year, Breton three-Michelin star Chef Glenn Viel will preside over the international jury, with Joël Garault, President of Goûts et Saveurs, and other renowned and experienced top chefs in charge of selecting the winners.
Marco Tognon (M/Y Planet – 72m), the winner of the 4th edition, will be present to give his opinion on the quality of the dishes alongside Chef Danny Davies. Host of “Behind the Line with Chef Danny Davies” and author of two vegan books, Danny Davies has over 25 years of experience on private yachts. Finalist of Objectif Top Chef, and the head of Coya and Taera restaurants in Monaco Chef Victoria Vallenilla completes the Jury line-up.
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As is customary in this prestigious competition, chefs will follow an anti-waste criterium under the supervision of Chef Duncan Biggs. To avoid being penalised, every chef must use every ingredient in the mystery basket, putting their culinary skills to the test as they are tasked with transforming random ingredients into a gourmet dish.
Meet the contestants
This year’s participants are Paulo Ucha Longhi (M/Y Hercules – 50m), Joelyanne Le Faucher (M/Y Artemis – 33m), Mateusz Mitka (M/Y Lady Britt – 63m), Margot Laurent (M/Y Leonardo III – 43m), Enzo Di Gabro (M/Y LAUL – 39m), Giacomo Seregni (M/Y Severin’s – 55m), Jérémie Gruson (M/Y Victoria del mar – 50m) and Ava Faulkner (M/Y Light Holic – 60m).
The competition’s benchmark is that the chefs only discover the mystery ingredient five minutes before they get to their cooking stations, so quick adaptation and improvisation are the keys.
The public play their role by adding a missing ingredient to the mystery basket and then voting for the best dish.
The Superyacht Chef Competition will take place on 4th April under the aegis of YCM’s La Belle Classe Academy training centre.
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Photo: Prince Albert II, with from left to right: Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino, winner of the 2023 Competition Marco Tognon, and Yannick Aleno (far right).