Boat_International_-_April_2016

http://www.boatinternational.com | April 2016

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PHOTOGRAPH: XXXXXXPHOTOGRAPHS: RODDY GRIMES GRAEME

THE CEREMONY

Admiral’s Inn, Antigua

Winner

Yachts up to 38m

MICHELLE BONETTI

37m Zeepaard

After working as a stewardess on a yacht, Michelle went

back to Australia to undertake a four-year apprenticeship

so she could return to the industry as a chef. Her winning

Swiss-themed Christmas menu was inspired by a childhood

holiday to the country and featured local ingredients,

including conch and jerk spicing, both blended with

traditional festive favourites.

I enjoy cooking different styles because it pushes you to

learn, not just repeat dishes. I look at it as a challenge – if

everyone wanted to eat the same thing I’d get bored.

When I have time off I always try to go to different

restaurants and learn from them. The next on my list is

learning how to cook Japanese food – it is very specific to

their culture and not really similar to any other cuisine.

When I need help I speak to my old boss. He knows so

much about food and I call him quite a bit.

For example, in the competition I used pine

needles that were different from those in

Australia. I couldn’t find anything online to say

if they were edible so I rang him to confirm.

The biggest challenge for me has been

that I’m alone. If you were in a restaurant

producing a fine-dining meal you’d have six

or seven people helping you. I have had to

learn to be a lot more organised.

“It’s a challenge – if

everyone wanted to

eat the same thing,

I’d get bored”

Judges of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show Chef Competition 2015

SOPHIA HEATH

Online charter and

destinations editor

of Boat International

CRAIG STEVENS

Former head chef of Icon

and winner of the largest

category in the 2014 awards

ELIZABETH LEE

This yacht chef has won

many competitions and owns

a charter yacht in Turkey

PAUL NOURY

Champagne sponsor and

the owner of Bacchus

Divine Wines in Antigua

DAVID EVANS

CEO of sponsor

Liat Quikpak Express,

as well as Liat airline

Partygoers

included

the crews of

Seawolf (this

picture)...

... Lady J

... and

Hyperion

... Zeepaard

2015

... Bamarandi

... St David