How to Hire a Celebrity or Michelin-Star Chef on Your Yacht

Tailored dining at sea

There is a particular intimacy to hosting a world-class chef in your yacht’s galley. Unlike the formal distance of a restaurant, a yacht chef experience unfolds in a personal setting, where each course can be adapted to the rhythm of the voyage and the mood of your guests. This is not event catering, it is curated private dining with a level of culinary precision rarely experienced outside the most coveted tasting rooms.

Many of our clients request a celebrity chef because the occasion calls for more than just exquisite food. A familiar name, whether from television, literature or the restaurant world, brings a storytelling element to the table. When that same individual also holds a Michelin star, the result is a dinner that merges entertainment, prestige and craftsmanship. You are not simply feeding guests, you are gifting them a memory.

The logistics are discreet and seamless. Once a chef is selected, our team coordinates directly with your yacht’s crew to ensure all equipment, provisioning and dietary notes are handled without disruption. Whether in the Ionian or the Balearics, we work with captains and charter managers to integrate the chef’s service naturally into your itinerary.

Choosing the right chef

Some clients arrive with a name in mind, drawn to the charisma of a particular celebrity chef or the distinctive approach of a known culinary innovator. Others request guidance, seeking someone who can mirror the personality of the charter and the tastes of their guests. That is where our curation begins.

Michelin-star chefs bring rigour and creativity in equal measure. Many have led kitchens at institutions like The Fat Duck, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay or Core by Clare Smyth. Their dishes are refined yet grounded, technical yet soulful, ideal for intimate meals at anchor or celebratory dinners on deck. Each of them understands the pace and discretion required of luxury hospitality at sea.

Celebrity chefs, whether known from MasterChef, Saturday Kitchen or Netflix, contribute something entirely different. They bring theatre, recognition and often a relaxed energy that suits a family charter or brand-hosted event. The tone of the experience shifts depending on who is cooking. Some host masterclasses between courses, others offer full tasting menus with wine pairings and live commentary. The important thing is that every detail is bespoke.

Our clients often split their time: one evening with a Michelin-starred chef focused purely on gastronomy, another with a celebrity chef whose presence adds warmth and sparkle to a birthday or corporate gathering. The combination is remarkably effective, and our network allows for this kind of flexibility across Mediterranean, Caribbean or even Norwegian itineraries.

Planning and expectations

Hiring a chef of this calibre requires foresight. While some can travel on short notice, many will be in demand throughout the summer season. Advance notice of two to four months is ideal, especially for charters overlapping with major regattas or events like Cannes or Monaco. For chefs in Europe, movement across borders is smooth and familiar, and most are accustomed to working within the constraints of a yacht galley.

Menus are designed in conversation with the principal charter guest or their PA. Seasonal ingredients, allergies, format preferences and wine selection are all covered well in advance. For longer charters, chefs may join for multiple days, creating full-board menus with daily changes. For single-night occasions, the chef will typically arrive the afternoon prior to ensure seamless execution.

Importantly, this is not a hired hand. You are welcoming a true craftsman or recognised figure into your private domain. Many of our chefs have cooked for royalty, global CEOs and cultural icons. Their approach is unassuming but immaculate, their goal always to enhance the atmosphere of your voyage, not overwhelm it.

Your gateway to culinary talent

Whether your yacht is privately owned or part of a luxury charter itinerary, the opportunity to book a celebrity or Michelin-star chef is now easier than ever. We act as the bridge between you and an exceptional roster of talent, managing every detail from logistics to NDA agreements where required. Our chefs are not just chosen for their accolades, but for their ability to deliver in the rarefied environment of private yachting.

Clients booking through our Celebrity Chef Hire or Michelin Star Chef pages have access to private consultation, full sample menus and curated guest experience planning. Whether your event is a family reunion, a corporate thank-you, or simply a celebration of life at sea, we ensure that every course, every moment, is worthy of the setting.

Frequently Asked Questions