Employer Registration
Crew Registration
- LocationNorth America
- Salary$7,000- 8,000 DOE
- Vessel Length38m
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
RECEIVE GLOBAL YACHT CHEF JOBS FROM PRIVATE AND CHARTER SUPERYACHTS
Take your culinary career to the next level by cooking for high-profile owners and charter guests in some of the world's most breathtaking locations. Being a yacht chef allows you to showcase your skills and creativity through fantastic cuisine to some of the most discerning clientele who appreciate your craft. Yacht chefs enjoy exceptional benefits like a tax-free salary, the ability to tour the world, and the freedom to focus on quality over quantity with fewer guests. Meridian is the place to start if you're looking for the best motor yacht, sailing yacht, superyacht, megayacht or gigayacht chef jobs. We connect you with top opportunities worldwide and help you take the next step in your career.
Latest Yacht Chef Job Openings
Looking for the latest yacht chef job openings? You are in the right place. We post fresh opportunities making Meridian ther leading yacht job board for anyone searching for private chef yacht jobs in the US, Europe, Caribbean, and all over the world. If you are searching for new yacht chef positions or keeping an eye out for roles that match your skills, you will find plenty of options here.
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Chef
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- LocationGeorgetown, St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Salary$6,000-$7,000
- Vessel Length32 meters
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Chef
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length42M
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chef
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- LocationNorth America
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length55m+
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
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Full-Time
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length145' to 175' (45 to 53 meters)
- Vessel FlagMarshall Islands
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Freelance
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- LocationFt Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
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Seasonal
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length111' to 144' (34 to 44 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
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Freelance
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- LocationPuntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica
- SalaryDepends on Experience
- Vessel Length80' to 110' (25 to 33 meters)
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
Chef
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- LocationFort Lauderdale, FL, USA
- Salary$9,000-$10,000
- Vessel Length34 meters
- Vessel FlagUnited States of America
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- LocationEurope
- Salary€2685pm
- Vessel LengthN/A
- Vessel FlagForeign (Non-US)
Frequently Asked Questions
To land a career as a yacht chef, you will need solid cooking experience. Many yacht chefs come from fine dining or luxury restaurant backgrounds. While formal culinary training helps, hands-on experience is key. You also need basic certifications, such as the STCW and Food Hygiene Level 2, two typical courses you will need to get onboard a yacht.
Yacht chef jobs can be seasonal and year-round, depending on the type of yacht. Charter yacht chef jobs are often seasonal, with more openings during peak seasons such as summer in the Mediterranean or winter in the Caribbean. Other yachts operate year-round and may offer full-time, rotational, or permanent positions.
A private yacht chef works for an individual or family, preparing meals for the owners and guests. On the other hand, a charter yacht chef caters to groups of paying guests who book the yacht for vacations. Charter yacht chef jobs can be more demanding because you're always accommodating new clients and their tastes, but they can also include great tips.
The salary of a yacht chef varies widely depending on yacht size, type, and the chef's experience. Charter yacht chefs earn a bit more, especially during high-demand seasons. It's not unusual for experienced yacht chefs to make anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000 per month or more.
Various chef roles are available on yachts, including head chef, sous chef, crew chef (feeding the crew), and pastry chef. Depending on the yacht, you might also find roles for specialized chefs, like sushi or personal chefs for high-profile guests.
Yes, STCW training is required for almost all yacht chef jobs. It covers essential safety and emergency procedures, ensuring you're prepared in case of an emergency.
The main difference lies in the lifestyle and demands. Motor yachts are faster, larger, and frequently accommodate more guests, giving chefs more space and resources. Sailing yachts are smaller and may require more flexibility, as the facilities can be more compact.
Absolutely. If you have restaurant or hotel chef experience, you're well-equipped for yacht chef recruitment. However, you must adapt to a small, close-knit environment and learn some unique maritime regulations and procedures.
Showcase your culinary skills, experience, and passion for the yachting lifestyle. Highlight any special skills, such as knowledge of dietary restrictions, high-end cooking techniques, or multilingual abilities. Longevity on previous yachts will also set you apart from others applying for the same role.
Yes, rotational chef positions are common on larger yachts, primarily for charter yachts. These positions allow chefs to work for a few weeks, followed by time off, providing an outstanding balance between work and personal life.
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Join for free in under two minutes. Instantly get discovered by hundreds of employers hiring yacht crew, receive job alerts tailored to you, and apply for opportunities around the world.
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Types of Yacht Chef Positions
Are you looking to find your first job in the yachting world as a yacht chef? Here’s a quick breakdown of the key roles you’ll find on a yacht:
- Head Chef:You're the galley boss, creating mouthwatering meals for guests, handling provisioning, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
- Sous Chef: You are the right hand to the head chef, helping with meal prep and taking charge when the head chef is away.
- Crew Chef: You'll cook delicious meals for the crew, ensuring they're well-fed and have lots of energy for their demanding duties.
- Sole Chef: On smaller yachts, you're responsible for everything from planning menus to cooking and serving. Everything is on you.
Whether you’re eyeing charter yacht chef jobs, superyacht chef jobs, or private chef yacht jobs, there is a role that fits every kind of yacht experience.
Required Skills & Qualifications
You can’t become a yacht chef simply by attesting that you can cook. Like Liam Neeson famously said in the movie Taken, you need a very particular set of skills. Here are the required skills and qualifications you need:
- Culinary school degree or relevant experience.
- HACCP or Food Hygiene certifications.
- Expertise in menu planning and dietary knowledge (gluten-free, vegan, and other specialized diets).
- Experience working for demanding clients in high-pressure, small-space environments.
If you're looking for exciting yacht chef career opportunities, this is your chance to shine. Explore yacht chef vacancies or aim to land a new role. These opportunities promise the perfect blend of adventure and culinary creativity.
A day in the life of a yacht chef looks something like this:
A day in the life of a yacht chef usually goes this way:
- Start the day by planning meals that will impress and satisfy guests. It is all about variety, freshness, and keeping everyone happy.
- Sourcing provisions is a bit of an adventure. You'll hop from country to country, finding the best ingredients, ordering ingredients from provisioning companies, and ensuring everything is fresh.
- Balancing guest expectations can be tricky. You must cater to different tastes, dietary requirements, and sometimes last-minute requests.
- Whether you're working solo or with a small team, it's all about keeping things running smoothly, ensuring every dish is perfect, and ensuring guests feel special with every bite.
Why Choose Meridian for Yacht Chef Jobs?
Are you looking for a yacht chef job? Meridian connects you with the best opportunities in yachting. We make your job search smooth and hassle-free with industry-leading software to help you find the perfect fit. Here is why you should choose us for your job search:
- We bring you chef roles on luxury yachts from all around the world, including from Fort Lauderdale, Newport, Antibes, Palma de Mallorca, Monaco, Italy, Greece, Australia, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Bahamas
- Our streamlined process matches you with jobs that fit your preferences, alerts you when new opportunities arise, and ensures employers can find you when searching for chefs.
- Creating a chef profile on Meridian takes less than two minutes!
Ready to start your next culinary adventure? We can help you get hired!
Best Practices to Apply for a Yacht Chef Job
If you're ready to land your dream job as a yacht chef, presenting yourself in the best light is essential. Here are some simple but powerful tips to help you stand out and get noticed:
- Professional Culinary Photo: Wear clean chef whites, use a plain background, and give a confident yet friendly smile.
- Profile Summary: Share your years of fine dining or yachting experience. Show off your creativity, flexibility, and passion for making guests happy.
- Certifications & Training: List your STCW, ENG1 Medical Certificate, Food Safety training, and any extra culinary courses.
- Yacht Experience: Include the yacht's size, type, number of guests, cruising regions, and the types of cuisine you prepared.
- Land-Based Culinary Experience: Mention top restaurants, hotels, or villas you have worked in.
- Sample Menus or Portfolio: Upload your chef menus and food photos.
- Special Diets & Skills: Discuss special diets you can cater to and any additional talents, such as cuisine specialization like Italian food, fine French dining, pastries, or sushi.
- References & Testimonials: Upload a few trusted references or quotes from past employers.
- Availability and Travel Readiness: Clearly state where you are, when you can start, and your visa status.
Ready to take the next step in your culinary career as a yacht chef? Whether you're looking for your first role or your next big opportunity, we're here to connect you with the right job at the right time. Let us help you turn your experience and passion into your next great position on a superyacht. Join Meridian for free today!