Winners of the 2018 Antigua Charter Yacht Show chef contest revealed

By Rebecca Bradbury 10 December 2018

The winners of the 19th Chefs' Culinary Contest at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show were unveiled on 8 December during a prize-giving ceremony at Admirals Inn in Nelsons Dockyard.

The competition saw some of the charter industry’s finest superyacht chefs challenged to create a three-course ‘New Year Eve’s Dinner Party’. As an added twist, each chef was also provided with a list of their guests’ dietary requirements and they had just 30 minutes to wow the expert panel of judges.

For nearly 20 years, the contest has been a popular feature of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show. It provides superyacht chefs with the chance to showcase their culinary talents while providing brokers with an invaluable insight into the quality of cuisine guests can expect to enjoy during a yacht charter.

culinary contest dish created by Peter Frost of superyacht ETERNITY

culinary contest dish created by Sebastian Springer of superyacht Harle

culinary contest dish created by Desiree Pierce of superyacht JOY

As the food served on board is vital to the success of the overall charter experience, the importance of competitions such as these and the exposure it gives competing chefs cannot be underestimated.

In the ‘Yachts 160 feet and over’ category, Chef Peter Frost of the 65m/213ft superyacht ETERNITY picked up the grand prize, followed by Chef Micail Swindells of the 77m/253ft superyacht GO in second place and Chef Megan Ross of the 78m/257ft superyacht AMARYLLIS in third place.

Winning the category for ‘Yachts 126 to 159 feet’ was Chef Sebastian Springer of the 45m/146ft superyacht HARLE while second place went to Chef Jamie Sparks of the 38m/126ft superyacht BERILDA and third place was awarded to Chef Philip Clarke of the 41m/136ft superyacht RUYA.

First place in the ‘Yachts 125 feet and under’ category was awarded to Chef Desiree Pierce of the 23m/76ft sailing yacht JOY. Chef Inn Boisson of the 37m/121ft superyacht ARION scooped second place with Chef Ely Reyad of the 35m/116ft superyacht UNBRIDLED in third place.

It was not just chefs who got to showcase their skills, however. Stewards and stewardesses were also able to go head-to-head in a table setting competition. Winners in each yacht category included Echo Flores of ETERNITY, Robyne McNeil of BERILDA and Katie Kisch of UNBRIDLED.