PROFESSIONAL CULINARY TRAINING FOR YACHT CHEFS

WHO ARE WE?

The Superyacht Culinary Academy is an exclusive training platform for qualified or aspiring chefs to further their culinary careers on board Superyachts. We are the only dedicated professional training facility offering comprehensive practical hands-on culinary training, theory and practical courses for superyacht chefs. Our professional chefs provide all the relevant training required to work and succeed in any yacht galley.

Our courses teach students to plan and prepare 5-star meals for discerning clientele using the best and freshest ingredients. We change the way you work with food, highlighting new ways of thinking, planning and presenting first-class cuisine. It’s the ultimate learning experience and a unique travel passport for people looking to work on yachts.

OUR COURSES

Our Superyacht Culinary Courses are structured to provide expert training in modern cooking techniques, food preparation, planning and presentation. We teach you the core skills required to cook to a professional standard on board a motor or sailing yacht. 85% of our training practical hands-on cooking provided by experienced professional chef tutors.

We also provide essential training for amateur or professional cooks alike in preparing food to a professional standard. You’ll acquire the skills to start your career as a chef on any sailing vessel, superyacht yacht or simply enjoy the life skills of an accomplished galley chef.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

Our Superyacht Culinary programmes challenge students to think differently about how they work with food and what it represents. Forget everything you know about basic food preparation. We focus on teaching a completely new way of planning, preparing and presenting food and challenge the boundaries of standard food presentation, pushing you to raise the bar and achieve new personal goals in culinary art.

Our courses are intense and cover everything from basic hygiene and cooking efficiency to 5-star food preparation under the guidance of a professional chef.

OUR TRAINING CENTRES

V&A WATERFRONT

Waterfront, Cape Town

HOUT BAY

Hospitality Training Centre, Hout Bay

PARTNER PROGRAMMES

We have partnered with some of the best yachting service providers in the industry to offer you complete course packages.

Each package includes all the necessary training for you to prepare yourself for working in the industry as a fully qualified professional.

Packages may be tailored to suit your requirements and individual courses can be added or removed from your portfolio.

FOLLOW THROUGH

Recruiting professional personnel for private and charter yachts is a very specialised business, and we make sure that you’re equipped with the right information and knowledge to enter the world of maritime hospitality industry.

Our course programmes include preparing you to find the best possible job to match your skills, and to ensure that you’re equipped with all the necessary documentation, information and knowledge to find your way into the best possible position.

We spend time with you preparing a CV, creating a chef’s portfolio and run through interview processes to assist you in preparation for employment. We also put you in contact with the leading yachting employment agencies and connections to make your search for the perfect position that much easier.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OFFERED

STCW 10 Basic Training

Modules:

Marine Fire Fighting
Elementary First Aid
Personal Safety & Social Responsibility
Personal Safety Techniques
STCW Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)
Course Duration: 11 days

STCW 2010 (Medical First Aid) - Shipping/Offshore

STCW 2010 (Medical First Aid) – Shipping/Offshore

MCA Accredited Food Safety in Catering Level II Certificate

Course duration: 1 day

Stewardess Training Course

Course duration: 5 days
Non-certificate course

VHF Radio Course

Course Duration: 1 Day
Completion Certificate

Powerboat level 2

Course Duration: 2 days
Completion Certificate

TESTIMONIALS

“Brett is a great teacher. I absolutely loved my time learning at Stir Crazy’s Superyacht Culinary Academy and couldn’t recommend it more. I look forward to attending more classes when I am back in Cape Town.”

Amy Smorenberg

“When I began this course I had just come from three years of culinary art training and so thought I knew everything there was to know but now at the end I feel I have learnt more in this last week than all the three years combined. From charter planning and designing intricate menus to the fast-paced heated cooking and plating, all of which had a personal touch and feel as Brett was never far away to give advice or lend a helping hand. I would recommend this course to absolutely everyone whether you are wanting to further your culinary career or just love to cook as it’s just that little extra that takes ordinary to extraordinary”

Justin Nel

“I found this course by chance and I am so grateful that I did. I have always kept busy in the kitchen and I never doubted my passion for cooking but what I really lacked was experience and most of all, confidence. Both of which I have received ten fold from completing the Superyacht Culinary Course with Brett. I loved that the course was so hands on and focused so much on the practical side of things and it was really beneficial working alongside a professional like Brett as he was always willing to teach, assist and give really constructive criticism. I also feel as though I’ve picked up on some awesome little techniques and tricks of the trade that will stick with me for the rest of my career. Overall the course was really informative, great value for money and I feel I have learnt a huge amount in a short period of time while also having loads of fun.

Gina Nivinson

“What an amazing week we had doing the Superyacht Culinary Training course. We had lots of fun with great people and learnt so much about preparation and presentation and what it takes to serve up gourmet meals in confined spaces with limited time. It’s a great hands-on course and I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to work on charter boats or superyachts.”

Phileine De Pinna , S/V Kazenellenbogen

Brett and Brenda are AMAZING !!! They absolutely changed my life and it was the most incredible experience ever doing the Superyacht Culinary Course… I decided at 41 years old to get out of corporate and follow my dream of going on the super yachts in the Med and I honestly never thought it was possible… I left Cape Town to jobless to pursue my dream. I landed in Palma on the Sat and by the Monday I had 2 job offers as a Chef..

I am absolutely LOVING my new life and would highly recommend the Superyacht Culinary Academy for whatever you wanting to do in the culinary world…

Jean Tomsett

I‘m a Dive Instructor and have been working in the Maldives the past two years. I wanted to get into the Yacht Industry as a Stewardess for a long time and have now decided to do it! I love cooking and was looking for something which would add great value to my Stewardess skills. I‘m so happy to have found The Superyacht Culinary Academy. Their course was an amazing experience and I have learned so much! This is a wonderful, unique course including really everything you need to know about being a chef aboard a Superyacht or, if you like me, are looking to expand your skillset as a Stewardess. Thank you Brett and Brenda for such a great time!

Sine Leupi

What an incredible experience – two weeks of intense Culinary Training taught by talented and professional chefs! I honestly felt like I was in my own version of Yacht Masterchef. I have always been a bit of an amateur foodie and I always wanted to complete a culinary arts course. I found Superyacht Culinary Academy online, specifically aimed at Superyacht Crew and I decided to sign up!

I would highly recommend Brett’s Superyacht Culinary Academy for anyone who wants to improve their cooking skills, while gaining valuable practical experience in a casual but focused environment. I’m off to the British Virgin Islands for the upcoming Caribbean season! I am very excited to get back in the galley! Thanks again guys!

Jess Shipley

I’m Sara Nelson born and raised in North Dakota. I’ve spent the past two seasons working as a Chef on small Catamarans in the Virgin Islands. I searched near and far for a Culinary Course to improve my skill set, build upon my foundation, and inspire new ideas. I’m so happy that I
found the Super Yacht Culinary Academy because a week under Brett’s instruction did just that.

It was truly a unique, challenging yet refreshing experience. I wish the Course was longer! Heading back to the Virgin Islands to pull the plastic off a brand new Sunreef Sailing 60ft Catamaran called ‘Relentless’.

Sara Nelson, S/V Relentless

I had such a wonderful experience whilst learning at the Superyacht Culinary Academy. Not only did Brett make me think for myself, but I walked away from the course wanting to experiment more – and that was the greatest gift that was given throughout the course – the spark of creativity.
After the course I feel prepared to be a chef on a yacht – from provisioning to creating beautifully presented, delicious food. It was an intense course but if you have worked on yachts you will know it can be just as intense, standards expected to pass are high – however you are taught in such a wonderful atmosphere by extremely professional chefs who guide you in a calm yet passionate way to ensure you are fully prepared. I could not of asked for better training.

Rebekah Allerton

ACCREDITATION

We work with the best in the business. We are proud of our association with our partners, who trust in us to deliver the best in services possible.
We’re continuously looking for and applying for new certification programmes and services to add to our profile to deliver the best qualifications for our students.