How to Stand Out as a Yacht Chef Candidate (CV, Portfolio & More)

Hundreds of chefs apply for the good boats. Here's what actually separates the hired from the hopeful — from someone who's been on both sides of it.

Versatility is key. I can't stress this enough.

My first yacht job wasn't won on cooking alone. The boat had a unique chef/deck position, and my PADI Divemaster ticket and years on dive boats gave me the upper hand over every straight-kitchen chef who applied. One extra skill made me the obvious hire.

Get out there and take chances — collect abilities that make you more useful on a boat. Diving tickets, tender driving, deck experience, photography, massage, barista skills, water sports instruction. On a small crew, the chef who can also lead a dive or cover a watch is worth two hires.

Your CV: yachting format or the bin

Yacht CVs are their own thing: professional photo top corner, one to two pages, tickets and certificates listed clearly (STCW, ENG1, food safety), sea miles and boat experience up top if you have any, land experience condensed to what's relevant. Include your visa situation (a B1/B2 matters for the Caribbean season) and whether you smoke — boats ask. Spelling mistakes end applications; this industry judges attention to detail because the job is attention to detail.

A portfolio that looks like guest food

Captains and agents will look at your food before they call you. Build a simple, clean gallery — Instagram works perfectly — of dishes that look like what charter guests actually eat: beautiful breakfasts, fresh lunches, plated dinners, canapés, bread and pastry. Phone photos are fine if the light is good and the plates are sharp. My whole career changed because I documented my work — this industry will look you up, so give them something worth finding.

References run this industry

Yachting hires on trust. Every daywork stint, every delivery, every short gig — leave with a written reference and a phone number a captain can call. Green candidates: references from restaurant head chefs absolutely count, especially when they mention cleanliness, composure and work ethic.

The interview is a compatibility test

They already believe you can cook — you got the call. The interview asks: can we live with this person for six months in a floating corridor? Be easy-going, humble, honest about what you don't know. Composure, organisation and humility come through in ten minutes.

Do the extras others won't, and you become impossible to overlook.

Full CV templates and portfolio guidance are inside Become a Yacht Chef — Module 1 is free.