Last year at the Fort Lauderdale show, Yachts International introduced a companion to its well-known Pavilion—the Captains’ Den. This year, the Captains’ Den returns with a new look, better access and full-on entertainment. The new air-conditioned Den will also host a new exciting competition, dubbed Galley Wars, pitting top-notch teams of yacht chefs in three rounds of grueling competition.

Our events and marketing team worked closely with Beverly Grant on the concept and organization. “I had been wanting to bring the competition to Fort Lauderdale for a long time,” she said. Grant started working as a yacht chef in 1975. She eventually moved ashore and founded Culinary Fusion, a Fort Lauderdale-based crew placement agency. She has owned three restaurants and has been involved in the well-known annual yacht competition at the Antigua Yacht Charter Show for years. She now is director of IMA Yachts’ Crew Solutions.

Aside from her undeniable talent in the kitchen, Grant, an experienced recruiter, exhibits great talent with people. Beverly initially approached our celebrity judge, Steve Martorano, to take part in the event. A well-know restaurateur, chef, DJ and author, Martorano embraced the concept fully from the first meeting. He is sure to add fun and a touch of grit to the competition.

Galley Wars’ rules are simple, even if the competition is not. Each team, comprising a chef and sous-chef, will have two hours to prepare a variety of small bites using ingredients from a mystery basket and the supplied pantry. Each participating Chef can bring the yacht owner or another crewmember as sous-chef. The winning team will move on to the next round. Wondering what the level of competition will be? One of our currently registered contestants include Zack Rath from the Trinity Yacht Cocktails and one of the initial contestants, Chef Anthony Bantoft of Lady Kathryn IV, withdrew to travel home to Australia where he was honored as the country’s Top Chef.

The winning team will earn a trophy and a five-day gateway to the Abaco Resort.

Fort Lauderdale-based Allied Kitchen & Bath has built a top-notch kitchen for the event. The competition will be broadcast live in the adjacent Yachts International’s Pavilion.

Martorano will sign copies of his autobiographical cookbook Yo Cuz! on Saturday and Sunday from 4 to 6 pm in the neighboring Pavilion.

Galley Wars event schedule:
Round one: 3 to 5 pm on Thursday, October 25th
Round two: 7 to 9 pm on Thursday, October 25th
Final round: 8:30 pm on Saturday, October 27th

For more information or to register, contact Jennifer Jones at 954-658-7293 or [email protected] or Beverly Grant at 954-805-2433.