Yacht Class n°45 (june-july-august 2026)
On 2nd April, the 7th Superyacht Chef Competition in Monaco crowned British chef Aaron Thomas. An edition devoted to excellence, presided over by the ever-incomparable Philippe Etchebest.
Written by : Anaïs Riu – Photos : Yacht Club de Monaco
Nine chefs, a mystery basket, forty minutes on the clock. The Superyacht Chef Competition, organised by the La Belle Classe Academy of the Yacht Club de Monaco, is no ordinary competition. It recreates, on land, the unvarnished reality of cooking at sea.
The art of improvisation
Five minutes to devise a recipe, then the clock is set in motion. This year, Aaron Thomas, a former contestant on MasterChef UK, won over the jury with a lobster presented in two stages: asparagus and a fricassée of morels, followed by a bisque. Deliberations took place aboard the M/Y Shockwave, an eco-responsible yacht whose consumption has been reduced by 50%. The competition faithfully reproduces the constraints of life at sea: improvisation, zero waste, and absolute composure. “The most challenging aspect is the pace: producing several plates in a very short time, while adapting to a mystery basket,” explained the winner.
Stars as judges
Presided over by Philippe Etchebest, a Meilleur Ouvrier de France and two-Michelin-star chef, the jury also included Marcel Ravin, a chef with three Michelin stars, as well as Carlo Cracco. Their verdict reflected genuine admiration for these “extreme” cooks at sea. “When you go to sea for several weeks without resupply, you have to think of everything. It requires considerable organisation and foresight. I have great admiration for these professionals,” said Philippe Etchebest.
The next generation already in the kitchen
A new feature for 2026 saw students from the École Hôtelière de Monaco working behind the scenes alongside the chefs. The ethos of La Belle Classe Academy that of passing on knowledge, was fully embodied. It was an immersion at close quarters with professional chefs, offering a glimpse into the workings of a profession where passion, rigour and creativity intertwine on a daily basis. “Our ambition is to showcase the richness of yachting professions, a sector full of promise, particularly for younger generations,” concluded Bernard d’Alessandri.
