One of the key ingredients to a successful charter experience is the fine cuisine that comes out of the galley. But yacht chefs not only prepare exceptional food, they also love a contest.

So, the knives came out—literally—when the Yachts International Captains’ Den at the 2012 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show hosted an exciting new cook-off, pitting top-notch teams of yacht chefs in three rounds of grueling competition.

Yachts International’s events and marketing team worked with Beverly Grant, director of IMA Yachts’ Crew Solutions, on the contest’s concept. “I had been wanting to bring the competition to Fort Lauderdale for a long time,” said Grant, a former yacht chef and business and restaurant owner who was involved for many years in the Antigua Charter Yacht Show competition. The Captain’s Den, in its second year, made an ideal setting for the event.

The final and perhaps most ingredient ingredient was Steve Martorano, a well-known restaurateur, chef, DJ and author of the recently published autobiographical recipe book Yo Cuz! He signed on as a celebrity emcee, adding fun and grit to the competition, which culminated on October 27 with the finals between Chef Brent Ryals of M/Y Mr. Terrible and Chef Michael “Martini” Martin of M/Y Harbour Island.

At their disposal, both chefs had a basket of mystery ingredients (tripe), a well-stocked pantry and high-end appliances in a kitchen specially built by Fort Lauderdale-based Allied Kitchen & Bath for the event.

In the end, Australian-born Martin prevailed with his delectable tripe stew, earning a trophy and a five-day getaway to the Abaco Beach Resort in the Bahamas.

For more information about next year’s event, contact Jennifer Jones at [email protected]