Running from June 18 to 21, the 30th edition of the Newport Charter Yacht Show saw chefs from eleven of the 27 yachts, exhibited at this popular event, in Wednesday’s Culinary Competition, which was divided into two classes: Grande Class, for yachts 100 feet and above, and Premier Class, for yachts 99 feet and under. Grande Class has been won by Chef Eddj from the 145-foot charter yacht Lady M, while the Premier Class winner has become Chef Megan from the 70-foot sailing yacht Destiny. The four-day show entered a new era in 2012 when Newport Exhibition Group started to both produce and manage it at its Newport Yachting Center facility in downtown Newport.

Chef Jean Paul of the 150-foot motor yacht Encore took third place in the Grande Class with his dish that consisted of poached scallop and egg and steamed mussel. Photo Credit: Billy Black

The morning of the competition, six chefs in the Grande Class were provided with a mystery basket that consisted of 40 local ingredients (grown or raised within a 50-mile radius of Newport, R.I.) and asked to return to their respective galleys to prepare a meal, of any cuisine, to be served to three judges: local Chef Bob Bankert of Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar; local Chef Matt Preble of the Smokehouse; and, from Florida, ShowBoats International Managing Editor Danielle Aragon Cabrera.

Judges of the Grande Class (from left to right): Chef Matt Preble of the Smokehouse, ShowBoats International Managing Editor Danielle Aragon Cabrera and Chef Bob Bankert of Mooring Seafood Kitchen and Bar. Photo Credit: Billy Black

“I’ve worked as a chef on yachts for six years, but this is my first time to the Newport Charter Yacht Show,” said Chef Eddj who created the winning shellfish broth with pasta, spinach, ricotta cheese and marinara sauce, which secured him a three-page editorial/photo spread in ShowBoats (a sponsor of the show), a gift certificate to the Newport Restaurant Group and the Newport Wine Cellar and a collectable book from Boat International Media. “The amount of time we had to prepare this dish was about the same amount that we would need if we were serving to our guests onboard. It was great, and the show has been going well and I think it will get better each year.”

Winners in the Premier Class (from left to right): Chef Jade from the 72-foot luxury yacht Campai, Chef Michelle from the 88-foot motor yacht Lady Victoria and Chef Megan from the 70-foot sailing yacht Destiny. Photo Credit: Billy Black

Along with five other chefs in the Premier Class, Chef Megan was served with the task of preparing the quintessential dish of New England – seafood chowder.  When the dishes were complete, show attendees were invited to visit every competing yacht’s galley to taste the creations and vote for the best chowder.

“This is my first time to the show, my first time to New England and my first time making chowder,” said the Texas native who has worked as a chef on boats for six years and made a cream-base chowder with lobster, halibut and scallops, which won her a gift certificate to the Newport Restaurant Group and a collectable book from Boat International Media. “I kind of winged it but got a lot of good advice and did my research. It was really fun and all the chefs on the boats helped each other and did taste tests.”

Grande Class winner from the 145-foot superyacht Lady M was Chef Eddj. Photo Credit: Billy Black

Winnie DeCoster-Lynch of The Captain’s Concierge ran the Culinary Competition and ShowBoats International  and Boat International Media sponsored the event. Local growers who donated ingredients included Aquidneck Honey, Rhody Fresh, Bomster Scallop, Narragansett Creamery, Farming Turtles, American Mussel Harvesters, Greenvale Vineyard and Newport Wine Cellars.

Competitor in the Grande Class prepares his dish for judges. Photo Credit: Billy Black

The overall results of the 2012 Newport Charter Yacht Show Culinary Competition:

Grande Class Results

First Place – Chef Eddj from 145-foot charter yacht Lady M

Second Place – Chef Adrian from 137-foot charter yacht  Syrenka

Third Place – Chef Jean Paul from 150-foot charter yacht Encore

Premier Class Results

First Place – Chef Megan from 70-foot sail vessel Destiny

Second Place – Chef Michelle from 88-foot charter yacht Lady Victoria

Third Place – Chef Jade from 72-foot sail vessel Campai