Cooking / Chef Trials - What to Expect?
Many yachts will want you to cook for the captain and crew, or even the owner, before offering you a job — well, in theory, if there's time. Many captains don't have the luxury of time to do this, so it depends on factors like whether it's mid-season, during a charter or a boss trip, and of course what experience and yacht references you have to back up your skills as a yacht chef.
We feel any chef trial or cooking trial should be paid, along with your travel expenses to and from the trial. After all, you're cooking for the crew, captain or owner and providing them with a meal. Your travel expenses and any food costs should be paid, though ideally they'll already have provisions in the fridges for you to use.
If you're new to yachting and struggling to find a first job, you might decide you're happy to do a trial cooking a lunch for the captain and crew without being paid for your time — that's entirely your choice.
How to Prepare
1Confirm payment beforehand — there's no harm asking the crew agent or captain before you go to confirm your expenses and time will be reimbursed, so you know for sure beforehand.
2Ask what tastes, diets, allergies you'll be cooking for — find out what cuisines and diets need catering for, and what's already onboard and in stock. Be prepared to walk into the galley and 'freestyle' with a surprise basket, or open the fridge and create something.
3Plan and present — take time to plan a menu or dish before cooking, and think about how you'll plate and present your food.
4Clean as you go — leave the galley and stores spotless and the floor cleaned at the end.
5First impressions and follow-up — wear appropriate shoes and clothing, pack loads of flavour into whatever you're asked to cook, and at the end thank the host for the opportunity and ask what the next step is. Have your own questions ready too — budget, provisioners, itinerary, at anchor or in port, the crew, the boss, guests, charter weeks, days leave, medical insurance and flights.
Good luck! — The SuperYachtandVillajobs.com Team
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