What type of food should I bring on my private yacht charter?
Every year, I am asked many times by my clients who are renting a day chartered yacht, what food is appropriate to bring along with them. Well the specifics are always up to the guests, but my advice for yacht-food is to keep it light, fresh and snacky! Its going to be hot on the water, most likely, so you want cool items with lots of freshness and variety. Most importantly you want something that’s easy to eat such as petite sandwiches, fruit on skewers, finger foods and already portioned items such as desserts. Don’t mess with hot food that needs to be eaten with a fork and knife…where will you cut a giant piece of meat? No hot pasta, no red sauces, no beetroots! Nothing that will stain a boat’s gorgeous and expensive interior. Cool pasta salads are ok provided they are easy to eat. Ditch the roast chicken, side salad and potatoes for more manageable items like a gourmet chicken Caesar wrap bite.
As a Private Chef, I always think about the user experience, because the happier my guests are the better the experience. I would never force my guests to eat in a way that isn’t congruent with their situation. For example, a Cava and Cocktail hour should be paired with small tasty canapés. These should be easy to eat in one or two bites. No forks, no mess, and definitely don’t make the guest put their drink down in order to eat, its just awkward. Those little cocktail napkins that are served during this time should not be used to clean anything up! Bottom line, think of the final product and the enjoyment of your guests.
In recognising the need for quality yacht friendly food, last year I unleashed a product that sold itself really. I crafted yacht-appropriate Apero Boxes and Picnic Boxes thoughtfully stocked with finger foods, crudités, dips and snacky items like cheese wedges and Spanish cured meats. My guests loved them and the number one compliment was for how easy yet delicious everything was. Convenience and high quality is hard to come by these days, but with these boxes you can treat your guests to a perfect day on the water paired with the best food experience!
