The Antarctic Chef's Blog: Working on Water

Working on Water

The first yacht I ever worked on was a yacht called the Islander of Polruan. Which was a two masted sailing yacht with two 33 ton garner oil engines, moored in Mevagissey, Cornwall. Owned by Mr Ronald Strauss a stockbroker of the Strauss & Turnbull Co, Moorgate St. London.

Here the Yacht is in and around Monte Carlo. I was cooking for up to 15 guests and 4 crew daily.This was a regular job each year for the months of July & August, until the owner passed away. It was this job that gave me a taste for working on water and travel. That's me water skiing.

Cowes Week

The Sailing Regatta that takes place every August, where yachts come from around the world to race round the Isle of Wight. This is always the best week of any job that i have ever done, and will always be my favourite job (to date). I was the chef in charge for a company called Food Experience. We cooked for Skandia the sponsors of the event and every day we took their clients out on Sailing Yachts, Motor Yachts, Tall ships, Barges, Ribs and anything that could be chartered in order for them to watch the yacht Racing from the water, up close and personal. Here are a few vessels that we cooked on.

The Thistle

This is a converted sea going Thames Barge, that used to transport coal in and out of London. There are only 8 left in the world. It could take 40 passengers and has 52,000 square foot of sail. My first year of Cowes was on this Barge..

Tall Ship Artemis

I worked on this ship with Martin Capel, we had a fantastic week. We were catering for 60 clients each day, plus crew, plus Rib drivers and yacht captains. A great time was had by all. Enjoy the Pics.

Artemis docked at Southampton. Waiting for guests to arrive.

All guest on board, a quick safety briefing and it's off to Cowes.

Once we have left the solent and enter the English Channel, the ribs come alongside, to take some of the guests for a jolly. Martin is looking from the galley, he will get a go.

The ribs take it in turns at picking up guests and taking them to yachts that have been chartered to us in order for them to have a go at sailing. while the races are going on. Martin is still hopeful.

Here the ribs have dropped off their cargo and the drivers have come to the Artemis for something to eat.

The sail comes down as we Anchor for lunch.

A bit of a breather as Martin takes a break.

My turn for some fresh air.

Lunch finished, back to the helm and afternoon teas are offered.

The Ribs go back to work and we clean the Galley down.

Once galley is cleared we lock every thing down ready to go full sail back to Southampton. the guys on the rib through the porthole are our staff.. It's playtime.

Ok, guys, I see no ships, we have 2 hours with no clients on board.

Come on Martin, let's get the sail up!

Are you pulling the right one?

The sail is not yet hoisted up the mast.

Ahoy Mark! what's the problem??

We're nearly full sail. I think the chef should get up the rigging and take a look..

Oh dear! here i go upwards...

You ain't gonna believe what I've just seen lads.. Captain Pugwash, heading for Bristol.... Shiver me timbers!!

coming into dock at Southampton, the crew start to play.

Swabbing the decks prior to docking.

Almost there, Martin and Mel, finishing in the galley.. Deckhand tidying.

Back alongside and all guests departed. Time for crew to party on.

Martin entertains by becoming shorter... This was funny!

Worked hard, played hard.

Here we have Rib drivers, chefs, waitresses, and the event co-ordinators.

Same again please....

Ok, try this without spilling your beer!!

Mark, who controls all the ribs and the drivers deserves his beer.

So we get to go to the Isle of Wight for a night out, and we get to go over in a multi million pound Sun Seeker Yacht. Here Martin and I pilot it for a while.