The culinary challenge is a much anticipated annual event that gives charter yacht chefs the opportunity to participate in an extravaganza of epicurean artistry and splendor, and be recognized and rewarded for their extraordinary talents. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show, which served as the underlying theme for both the Concours de Chef and the Table Setting Competition.
Chefs were instructed to prepare a Caribbean Celebration Banquet pared with an alcoholic or non alcoholic drink offering. Stewards and stewardess participating in the Table Setting Contest were instructed to incorporate the number 50 and a bottle of Piper Heidsieck, a sponsor of the event, in the centerpiece arrangement of a table setting suitable for a 50th anniversary.
Prizes included magnums of Piper Heidsieck, accommodations at five star resorts, Liat airline tickets, William and Sonoma gift certificates and spa treatments.
And the winners are……
1st place: Tim Macdonald, Huntress
2nd place: Heather Kaniuk, yacht Numptia
3rd place: Thomas Francque, yacht Passion
YACHTS FROM 101 TO 159 FT
1st place: Emma Beckett, Lady J
2nd place: Gabrielle Scott, Va Bene
3rd place: Jerry Bond, Arioso
YACHTS UNDER 100 FT
1st place: Rene Kappetein, Worlds End
2nd place: Adrian Martin, Lady Alliaura
3rd place: Caro Uy, Muse
STEWARD/STEWARDESS TABLE SETTING
160FT AND OVER
Theone Penn, Troyanda
100 TO 159 FT
Hilary Gibbson, Andromeda La Dea
UP TO 99FT
Julia Fluhrer, Matau
After viewing all of the impressive table settings the judges were inspired to spontaneously create an additional award category for the Creative Use of the Number 50 and Champagne Bottle. The winning yachts were Passion, for an artistic rendering of 50 made with glass pieces and labels from Piper Heidsieck bottles, and Sea Quell, for an elaborately Caribbean construction of palm fronds and banana leaves.
The winners of the 2011 Antigua Charter Yacht Show Concours de Chef and Table Setting Competitions add a special ingredient for clients chartering aboard their magnificent yachts!
Follow the links above to charter the award-winning yachts and click here for comprehensive destination descriptions and detailed information on Caribbean Yacht Charter.
Volvo Ocean Racing Yachts Piggy Back on Armed Ship Through East African Corridor
The high-tech racing yachts, with an estimated value of US$100m, will be
transported under guard through the dangerous Indian Ocean leg of the Volvo Ocean Race. Organizers of the 39,000km race said pirate attacks prompted its decision to protect the crew and six racing yachts.
The boats left Cape Town yesterday on the race`s second leg to Abu Dhabi, which requires navigating exceedingly dangerous waters off the Eastern African corridor. The solution is to transport the vessels under armed guard to the waters of Sharjah, UAE and an undisclosed safe port somewhere in the Indian Ocean, where they will be less than a day’s sail from Abu Dhabi.
“Once unloaded, race management will decide where exactly to re-start the race for a short competitive sprint into Abu Dhabi, which is hosting the event from December 31 to January 14,” said a statement “The sailors will not be on board the ship.”
Organizers said the scoring system on this leg would be different from previous legs. Eighty per cent of points will be accumulated through the safe haven port, and the other 20 per cent will be gained in the final race from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi.
Follow this link to get in on the action and Charter a Yacht for a Regatta or Sailing Event.
Mersin Marina: The Largest Yachting Center, City Port and Urban Attraction on Turkey’s Eastern Shore
Mersin Marina is the largest marina on Turkey’s east Mediterranean shores with a capacity to service 500 boats in water and 500 boats in drydock. The Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim proudly inaugurated the facility on November 28 with the goal to promote Mersin as a gateway to Caucasus, Middle East and Africa.
Mersin Marina is designed by Öncüoglu Mimarlik as a city port as well as an urban social center to appeal to residents not directly involved in the marine industry. Public areas include an amphitheater with a capacity for 2,000 people and a Sports Center and Yacht Club with indoor and outdoor facilities including a spa, tennis courts, basketball field and children’s 1,000sqm entertainment park.
Sports International sports centerIn additional to divers social facilities, Mersin Marina offers boat services including electricity, fresh water, sewage removal, wireless Internet, cable TV, laundry, shower, first aid, professional divers, fuel stations, a tourism agency, a car rental center, supermarkets, banks and ATMs, yacht brokerage, and maintenance and repair facilities equipped with a 100 ton travel lift.
Mersin is an important center of tourism and trade with a population of 1.602.000 people living in the city center and surrounding area. The region is presently serviced by Adana international airport while a new international airport is under construction in Tarsus, just 30 km outside Mersin.
Follow this helpful link for comprehensive information to explore Charter Yachts and Destinations in Turkey.
Antigua Charter Yacht Show: A Bird`s Eye View from the Crows Nest
Our most daring charter expert climbed 45 meters up to the crows nest on board charter sailing yacht MARIE to capture bird`s eye images of the 2011 Antigua Charter Yacht Show. MARIE is one of our favorite sailing yachts, the crew are delightful and most accommodating, for example, letting us shimmy up the mast for a photo op.
Luxury sailing yacht VAIMITI is a very popular charter yacht for many great reasons. VAIMITI is a gracious vessel with clean,
contemporary styling and architecture that provides plenty of space to relax indoors or out, in sun or in shade. The stern stairway and swim platform create a perfect beach area for easy water access. The spacious master suite features four overhead hatches in addition to side portholes that flood interiors with cheerful light. VAIMITI, a 39m Trehard, accommodates up to eight guests in four cabins.Marvelous Yachts on Display at the Antigua Charter Yacht Show
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the big difference. With more than 100 yachts open for viewing the details become paramount in choosing which of these stunning yachts and skillful crews to highlight. Here are some of the favorites thus far:
MELINKA is a classic Sparkman & Stevens 80ft. sailing yacht that is an ideal choice for friends who really enjoy sailing together. The crew on board MELINKA makes this yacht really stand out from the crowd. They share a synergy that is infectious and a team spirit that is reflected in the soul and spirit of MELINKA.
DONA LOLA, named for the family’s much-adored 
grandmother, is a stunning Westport 130. When we stepped on board we were immediately impressed with the oversized windows that flood the main salon with daylight. White furnishings enhance the cool, contemporary style that is soothing to the soul. Captain Adam Crooks is looking forward to a fabulous yacht charter season in the Caribbean and confided that when DONA LOLA returns to the Mediterranean for the summer season he would love to do a Monaco Grand Prix (May 24-27, 2012) charter.
Lunch on board DAMRAK II, a sleek and stylish Sunreef 70 power 
catamaran, gave guests the delightful opportunity to experience the amazing culinary creations of Chef Sharon “Shaz”, who is well known for her gourmet talent. The first course of delicately seasoned scallops was accompanied by a savory banana chutney and pared with a crisp Pouilly Fuisse, which also complimented the sumptuous main course of Caribbean lobster tails.
More inside views aboout the participating charter yachts at the Antigua show will be available shortly. Please follow this link to explore all aspects of Caribbean Yacht Charter.