Concours de Chef
Chef & Yacht Table Design and Service Competitions
Calling all yacht chefs and crew, we invite you to showcase your creative talent by taking part in our culinary & yacht table design and service competitions.
25th Annual Antigua Charter Yacht Show’s Prestigious Concours
de Chef & Yacht Table Design and Service Competitions
2025 Chef Competition Theme:
'A Journey of Wellness'
This year’s theme reflects the growing demand among charter guests for cuisine that is as nourishing and health conscious as it is luxurious. With an increasing number of dietary requests centered around clean eating principles, wellness has become a defining expectation in modern charter dining.
This competition invites chefs and stewards/stewardesses to embrace this evolution by crafting elegant, balanced menus and serene service experiences that celebrate mindful indulgence, intentional ingredients and refined, wellness-driven luxury at sea.
CHEF COMPETITION
Chefs are challenged to create a wellness-forward, three-course dining experience: first course, main course and dessert. At least one of the dishes must incorporate a restricted dietary focus, for example: vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, gluten-free, low FODMAP, or macrobiotic principles.
Each course should reflect the chef’s ability to craft clean, intentional cuisine that is health-conscious, balanced, beautifully presented, and aligned with the elevated standards of refined charter dining.
These principles are not restrictive; they are an invitation to elevate healthy dishes, celebrate nutrient-dense ingredients and plate food that is both beautiful and beneficial. Chefs are encouraged to approach this challenge with imagination, creativity and innovation.
Mystery Ingredient Challenge
As in previous years, each chef will be presented with a mystery ingredient(s) during the Chef’s Briefing. The mystery ingredient(s) MUST be showcased in one of the three courses.
Please note, if the mystery ingredient(s) are not utilized, points will be deducted from your overall score.
The competition will be held onboard each yacht. Your scheduled 30-minute time slot will be allocated to each participating yacht at the Chef’s Briefing. Judges will arrive to the yacht 5-10 minutes prior to the 30-minute time slot to ensure they have enough time to enter and be seated for the judging process. The 30 minutes will begin as soon as the judges have sat for service.
Competition Day
- You will be notified just prior to the judges' arrival.
- You will provide 6 printed menus: 1 for the coordinator and 1 for each of the 5 judges.
- You will have 30 minutes to serve your 3-course meal to the panel of 5 judges and the coordinator of the competition.
- For each course: serve 5 taster-sized dishes and one full-sized presentation dish (to be photographed). All 6 plates of each course will be tasted by the 5 judges and the coordinator. Please serve the full-sized presentation dish to the coordinator of the event, Chef Elizabeth Lee, so photos can be taken.
Please note: You are required to stay within a 30-minute time frame and if the time is extended, points will be deducted from your overall score.
Judging Criteria For The Chef Competition
Chefs will be judged based on a points system following the criteria listed below:
- Appearance and presentation: Visually appealing.
- Taste: Flavor/seasoning/balanced flavors.
- Creativity: Creative use of the theme of the competition and mystery ingredient(s).
- Execution: Well-executed cooking techniques.
- Overall appeal: Originality/creativity.
2025 Yacht Table Design and Service Competition Theme:
'A Journey of Wellness
at the Table'
YACHT Table DESIGN AND SERVICE Competition
In harmony with the culinary competition, the Yacht Table Design and Service Competition invites stewards/stewardesses to showcase their artistry in tablescaping, holistic service and creative ambiance.
This year’s wellness theme extends to the table; judges will be looking for designs that evoke serenity, balance and refined natural beauty.
Stewards/stewardesses are encouraged to incorporate natural materials, for example; linen, stone, wood, pressed flowers, ceramics, edible centerpieces, spa-like ambiance using aromatics, light textures, and wellness motifs. Functional elegance that complements the plated cuisine and guest experience
Every detail - from table décor to guest interaction - should reflect a unified vision of wellness and luxury at sea.
Extra points can be achieved in the following ways:
- Creative welcome mocktails
- Flavor-infused spa waters
Please note: this theme does not restrict service of wine or alcohol; we encourage a wine pairing with each course offering an additional opportunity to showcase pairing expertise.
At the Chef’s Briefing*, the stewards/stewardesses of each yacht will be presented with one bottle of the sponsored wine or champagne. The sponsored bottle must be showcased within your table design.
*Please ensure the bottle is collected at this time.
Please note: If the sponsored bottle is not utilized in the tablescape, points will be deducted from your overall score.
Your decorated table setting should be in the same location where the chefs serve their creations and include place settings for 6 guests.
Judging Criteria For The Tablescaping Competition
- Appearance and presentation: Visually appealing
- Creativity and originality: Creative use of the theme of the competition and the supplied tablescape decoration.
- Overall Impression
Register to take part
Registration for the Chef's Competition and Yacht Table Design and Service Competition is now open!
- We only accept 10 yachts in each yacht size category.
- The first 10 successful entries will receive an email within 48 hours of registering to confirm receipt.
- At that time, they will also be given additional instructions.
- A briefing will be held for all confirmed entries at the beginning of the show on Thursday 4th December 2025 @ 15:30-16:30 CST.
Location: The Copper and Lumber Store Hotel, Nelson's Dockyard.
All entrants are requested to join and must email chefscomp@antiguayachtshow.com if they are unable to do so.
We look forward to receiving your entries and welcoming you to the show.
Please note: All competing yachts must receive a confirmation email from chefscomp@antiguayachtshow.com confirming their registration for the competition. Without this confirmation, the yacht will not be eligible to compete.
Important: Registration for the Antigua Charter Yacht Show does not automatically enter you into the Chef and Steward/Stewardess Competitions. Separate registration is required.
enter the cONCOURS DE CHEF competition online - registration deadline 01st november 2025
Just fill in our simple form to register your interest.
Competition Categories and Judging Days
1. Yachts 180ft and Over Judged on Friday 5th December 2025
2. Yachts 126ft to 179ft Judged on Saturday 6th December 2025
3. Yacht 125ft and Under Judged on Sunday 7th December 2025
Gallery
Get inspired by the delectable dishes and stunning tablescapes crafted by previous years’ competition participants.
