Monaco shines a spotlight on haute cuisine at sea: the Superyacht Chef Competition returns
The dream of working as a chef aboard a superyacht takes shape in Monaco, where the Yacht Club de Monaco, in partnership with Bluewater, has officially opened registrations for the 7th edition of the Superyacht Chef Competition. The event will take place on Thursday, 2 April 2026, at the prestigious Club headquarters, and once again stands out as one of the most anticipated events in the world of luxury yachting.
Conceived and organised by La Belle Classe Academy, the Y.C.M.’s training centre, the competition pays tribute to one of the most essential figures on board: the chef. These professionals turn cooking at sea into a refined experience, playing a decisive role in delivering excellence aboard luxury yachts.
Presiding over the 2026 edition will be Philippe Etchebest, two-Michelin-starred chef and Meilleur Ouvrier de France, an iconic figure in French gastronomy. His presence further enhances the prestige of a competition that has established itself over the years as a true talent incubator. Organisation is handled by the Yacht Club de Monaco team under the supervision of Philippe Joannès, the Club’s culinary consultant, and Chef Simon Ganache, Head of Events, with the support of Frédéric Ramos, President of the Monaco Goût et Saveurs association.
Being a chef aboard a superyacht means facing daily challenges: limited workspace, restricted storage capacity, fluctuating supplies depending on cruising routes, and an international clientele with high expectations. A rapidly expanding sector, with around 11,000 yachts over 24 metres worldwide and thousands of chefs embarking each year, many of whom come from fine-dining backgrounds.
The Superyacht Chef Competition is fully aligned with the vision of “Monaco, Capital of Advanced Yachting”, pursuing a dual objective:
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to highlight chefs as ambassadors of luxury yachting;
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to inspire new vocations in a sector rich in career opportunities, ranging from service and sommellerie to bartending, provisioning and onboard hospitality management.
The competition will take place under realistic onboard conditions, following a short but highly demanding format. Participants will face:
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a mystery basket revealed just moments before the challenge;
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five minutes to design their recipe;
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mandatory use of all ingredients, with penalties for waste;
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a surprise ingredient selected by the audience;
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a special award for the best presentation.
An intense test designed to showcase the essential qualities of an onboard chef: creativity, adaptability, precision, respect for ingredients and the ability to manage logistical constraints.
Since 2015, La Belle Classe Academy has offered training programmes dedicated to the art of onboard service, including the internationally certified IAMI GUEST programme. Its mission is to identify and support new talent while promoting gastronomy as a cornerstone of the yachting experience.
Chefs wishing to take part can already apply by completing the online registration form available on the official competition website.
