Top Tips to Enjoy the Epicurean Experience onboard your Charter Yacht

The quality of food everywhere has come ahead in leaps and bounds in recent years and this is certainly true onboard luxury charter yachts. As charterers have become more discerning about food, so has extra emphasis been placed on hiring excellent chefs as part of the crew, and ensuring that ingredients are of the highest quality.

Your on board chef can cater to your every gourmet pleasure and there is no doubt that your food will be nothing but exquisite. With superb service and a personalised menu, the mouth-watering cuisine aboard a superyacht is the epitome of gourmet dining. However we can help you get more from this experience and here are a few of our top tips.

1. Don't Be Shy with your Preference Sheet

Prior to your charter you and your guests will be asked to complete a preference sheet. This itemises any dietary requirements or food allergies so your chef can create a personalised menu and stock the galley with suitable ingredients. If there is one piece of advice we would give it is to provide as much detailed and specific information about your likes and dislikes as possible here. In some destinations it can be difficult to purchase additional specialised food items once you have set sail and being honest will ensure that each meal is tailor-made to perfection.

2. Be Specific about What You Enjoy Drinking

The preference sheet also itemises your beverage tastes. Again be specific here. For many, fine wine goes hand in hand with fine dining so if you have a penchant for a particular French burgundy then let us know. Alternatively you may prefer your chef to match the perfect wine with his/her dishes. And if your holiday morning ritual starts with a spicy bloody mary or you enjoy a refreshing mojito at lunch then again let your crew know so they can make this happen for you.

3. Timings Do Matter

To get the most out of your out of your dining it also helpful for your chef and crew to know how you like to eat. For some a hearty breakfast served at 7 is vital while for others a coffee and croissant at 10am is all that is required prior to lunch. Let us know whether you enjoy canapes and cocktails as the sun goes down or whether you would prefer a family dinner at 7.30. The more your crew knows the better your epicurean experience will be.

4. To Be Formal or Not To Be Formal?

It is not only when you want to dine but how you want to dine that is important. Every charter yacht is capable of providing you with formal five star dining every night. This includes a variety of table settings with fine china and crystal, silver and linen. The crew are trained in silver service and the chef can create a multitude of multi-course meals with wine pairings. However you may wish to enjoy some more less formal dinners as well as a casual contrast.

5. Where to Dine

In most cases your luxury charter yacht will provide a variety of different places to dine. So by all means take advantage of this and plan different meals in different locations. Have breakfast al fresco on the top deck, lunch in the shade of the lower aft deck and dinner by the sunset barbeque. While the weather is likely to encourage outdoor eating at least once do experience the formality of the inside dining room. And don't forget the beach – ask your crew to find a secluded spot and enjoy a picnic ashore on your very own piece of paradise.

6. Celebrate the Special Occasions

Prior to your charter be sure to mention if you have a special occasion that you would like to celebrate. Luxury yacht charter crews love an excuse to host a party, be it for a wedding anniversary or birthday, engagement or corporate achievement. It's fun to also add a themed night - from a swashbuckling pirate party to an elegant black-tie event there's a lot of fun to be had and the crew are there to help make it happen with decorations and drinks, a matching menu, even music and games ... not to mention a delicious cake ... should you wish!

7. Pre-plan Extra Guests

The chef and crew are there at your complete discretion and this does include hosting a party for friends from other yachts or ashore, whether this be a formal dinner or a relaxed cocktails and canapes affair. However there is one very fixed rule and this is that it does need to be pre-planned. In some cases and depending on the event required this may only be a few hours or a day but it is not considered good manners to turn up with unannounced guests.

8. Still Hungry? 

You should never be hungry on board your luxury charter yacht however there is something about salt air, sunshine and water that creates an appetite. Your chef is always ready with a variety of tasty titbits to tend to that hunger. Just mention to one of the crew that you're feeling peckish, and you'll be offered an assortment of delicious morsels. Do bear in mind that your chef does need to sleep though, so do give some advanced notice if you are likely to want late night food.

9. The Right Boat with the Right Chef!

And this is where we can help you the most. We at the Luxury Charter Group, know the finest yachts that specialise in producing culinary masterpieces for their guests. We know the very best yachts, have tried their food, and we know where you will receive five star food and service every time.

So contact one of the specialists at Luxury Charter Group for further details about the luxury charter yachts available that we recommend for that unforgettable "foodie" experience.