+27 68 510 0026 info@absoluteyachting.co.za

SUPERYACHT CHEF

Culinary excellence meets the open sea—crafting gourmet delights as a yacht chef, blending creativity with oceanic inspiration and technical skills!

Your Path To success

Embarking on a chef career aboard a superyacht is an exhilarating and rewarding journey filled with opportunities to explore the vast, open seas and work on magnificent vessels. As a yacht chef, you will become an integral part of the crew, handling essential tasks such as preparing gourmet meals, planning menus, provisioning, and ensuring the culinary satisfaction of all onboard. This dynamic and adventurous career path allows you to develop a diverse skill set, travel to breathtaking destinations, and form lifelong friendships with fellow seafarers.

The starting salary for a yacht chef averages around €3,000 to €4,500 per month, with the chance to pocket substantial tips along the way. The Superyacht industry values dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm, welcoming talented individuals regardless of gender.

But wait, there’s more! Forget about rent, groceries, and even toiletries—everything’s sorted while you’re on board, giving you the chance to stack up some serious cash while exploring amazing destinations around the world. With accommodations, meals, and essentials provided, you can save a significant portion of your earnings. Imagine waking up in a new exotic location, working alongside a diverse and vibrant crew, and having the opportunity to immerse yourself in different cultures and cuisines. A chef career on a superyacht offers not just a job, but a lifestyle filled with adventure, financial benefits, and personal growth.

Whether you’re navigating the Mediterranean or sailing through the Caribbean, life as a chef on a Superyacht is your ticket to an extraordinary career and life experience. Join us and take the first step towards an unparalleled journey on the high seas.

Chef Diploma

Mastering the art of cooking isn’t just about honing fundamental techniques—it’s about immersing yourself in the essence of culinary craftsmanship. Grasping the intricacies of the kitchen is fundamental to your culinary journey.

This one-year Diploma Course is tailored for aspiring chefs seeking to enter the hospitality industry with confidence. Through a blend of intensive practical and theoretical training, students develop essential culinary skills and gain valuable industry exposure under the mentorship of experienced professionals. With a focus on maintaining food safety, kitchen hygiene, menu planning, and customer service, the course equips students with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel in the culinary world.

Please note: Only a limited number of students are accepted for each course intake to ensure optimal individual attention. Course intakes are in February and July each year.

Chef Diploma

Duration: 1 year
Location: Hermanus
Cost: R98 675

Why Choose this DIPLOMA

When you enroll in this Chef Course, you’re not merely signing up for a training program — you’re embarking on a curated journey led by our esteemed partners at Warwick’s Chef School. With decades of collective experience in the culinary world and a commitment to excellence, their instructors ensure you receive the most comprehensive training available.

Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the course transcends the basics, offering a deep understanding of every aspect of the chef’s role. From mastering essential culinary techniques and menu planning to understanding kitchen safety and dietary requirements.

Let Warwick’s Chef School guide you toward a fulfilling career as a professional chef, whether you’re seeking opportunities on land or at sea.

Pre-requisites and certification

Students must be 18 years or older and have a matric qualification.

Warwick’s Chef School Commis Chef Diploma

Highfield International UK Level 3 Diploma for Professional Chefs

Highfield International UK Level 2 Certificate in Food Safety (endorsed by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency)

Highfield International UK Level 2 Certificate in Health & Safety in the Workplace

"The Galley is the heart of the ship, where the crew is nourished and the spirit of camaraderie is forged."

Superyacht Chef Course

Embarking on a culinary career at sea requires more than just cooking skills; it demands an understanding of a superyacht galley’s unique environment and operations. Our 3-day Superyacht Chef Course is meticulously designed for trained or aspiring chefs who wish to bring their culinary talents to the yachting industry.

This intensive theoretical course covers essential topics such as provisioning, galley operations, meal planning and presentation, health and safety protocols, stowing and food storage, and the fundamentals of living and working on a superyacht. Under the guidance of seasoned professionals, participants will gain insights into the nuances of yacht life, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the high standards and unique challenges of working at sea.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a aspiring culinary professional with a keen interest in yachting, this course will equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in a superyacht galley. Join us to elevate your culinary career and embark on an exciting journey in the world of yachting.

Chef Course

Duration: 3 days
Location: Hermanus
Cost: R3600

Why Choose this course

When you enrol in our Superyacht Chef Course, you’re embarking on a specialized journey tailored to the unique environment of a yacht. Our course, crafted by experienced professionals with extensive backgrounds in yacht-based operations, immerses you in the world of superyachting, focusing on the specific challenges and demands of working on board. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the yacht environment and the intricacies of living and working at sea.

By joining us, you’ll acquire the expertise needed to thrive in this unique environment and embark on a rewarding and adventurous career at sea.

Pre-requisites and certification

Students must be 18 years or older.

Culinary qualification or demonstrable ability to prepare meals

On completion of the course you will receive a Certificate of Completion.

"The galley is a sanctuary for culinary artistry, where chefs transform fresh ingredients into exquisite dishes"

OUR Superyacht CHEF PACKAGE

Our Superyacht Chef package offers a comprehensive bundle of essential certifications tailored to your career needs.

Included in this package is the Superyacht Chef course. Next, you’ll undergo STCW Safety and Security courses, providing you with a solid foundation in maritime safety protocols. Enhancing your skill set further, the package includes the RYA Powerboat Level II course, offering valuable hands-on experience in watercraft operation and a Food Health and Safety course.

To support your journey, we provide you with our Smooth Sailing handbook and you get to attend our Navigating Your Success workshop.

To meet industry standards, we also facilitate your SAMSA medical certification, ensuring you’re fully compliant with mandatory requirements for employment in the industry.

Please note that this package does not include the 1 year Chef Diploma through Warwick’s.

chef package

Duration: 19 days
Location: Hermanus
Cost: R23 257

STCW Basic Safety Training

Superyacht Chef Course

Food Health and Safety

Powerboat Level II

Smooth Sailing Handbook

Navigating your success workshop

SAMSA Medical

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main responsibilities of a chef on a yacht?

The chef is responsible for planning and preparing meals for guests and crew, managing the galley, provisioning, menu planning, catering to dietary restrictions, and maintaining high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

What challenges might I face as a chef working on a yacht?

Challenges may include working long, irregular hours, working in a confined space, catering to diverse dietary preferences and restrictions, managing provisions and inventory, and adapting to the dynamic nature of yacht operations.

What is the work schedule like for a chef on a yacht?

Work schedules can vary depending on the yacht’s itinerary and the number of guests onboard. Chefs often work long hours during charter seasons and may be required to cater to guests’ dining preferences at any time of day or night.

What advice do you have for someone considering a career as a chef on a yacht?

Gain experience in high-pressure kitchen environments, hone your culinary skills, pursue relevant training and certifications, and be prepared for the unique challenges and rewards of working as a chef on a yacht.

What our Students had to say

Jordan

I recently completed the Superyacht Deckhand Course at Absolute Yachting and it was great.

Matt is so knowledgeable and passionate about yachting. He makes all the content easy and fun to understand.

Completing this course has given me confidence and made me feel prepared to start in the yachting industry.

Kyle

I did my powerboat level 2 with Absolute Yachting and it was an amazing experience. Matt’s patience and knowledge is incredible!

It was a laugh but very focused on the task at hand at the same time. Matt gave me extra tips and was super encouraging throughout.

Leigh-Anne is a blessing as well, giving guidance and extra knowledge without hesitation. I look forward to doing more courses through you guys!

Thank you so much guys!!!

 

Beulah

 

I recently did my Powerboat level 2 with Absolute Yachting with Matt.

It was a 10/10 experience and would recommend to anyone looking to do any yachting courses.

Matt is extremely patient and has so much knowledge when it comes to yachting due to his past in yachting.

He is excited to teach others and enjoys helping others to learn. Absolute yachting is very organized, helpful and quick to assist.

Had the best time!

Rolf

I did my Powerboat Level 2 and Deckhand courses with Absolute Yachting and I cannot recommend them enough!

Starting off in the yachting industry is intimidating, but Absolute Yachting helped so much with their honesty and them truly wanting the best for all of their learners.

Matt and Leigh-Ann are a blessing and great guides to all those who want to learn the skills and ins and outs of yachting.

They are unbelievably professional, fun, helpful and have a wealth of experience and knowledge.

I have never found myself looking forward to each class so much and finding all the content presented in a way that made it so interesting.

I believe that I will always look back at my time with Absolute Yachting as the true start of the journey in this new industry.

I am so glad to have done my courses with them and would encourage anyone to do the same.

Tianne

I recently did my Powerboat Level II and Deckhand courses through Absolute Yachting and I honestly can’t recommend them enough.

Starting out in the yachting industry is a new challenge on its own but getting guidance and direction from them, on top of a very well designed course, shows that they care about accurately preparing their students for the job while helping them be successful in their search for suiting opportunities.

Matt and Leigh-Anne put a lot of effort into making the course educational, fun and interesting. I’d wake up each morning exited to get to class and learn more.

There are a lot of courses out there to choose from, but we found that they treat each student like another chick under their wing and honestly care about how you perform in your job one day and that you end up in a job best suited for you as an individual.

10+/10 review if that was possible!

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