While most people visit Antigua for its beautiful beaches and ocean, each December it becomes a culinary hotspot, with chefs going head-to-head in the Antigua Charter Yacht Show Concours de Chef. The 25th competition also features a Yacht Table Design and Service Competition. The theme this year was A Journey of Wellness, with chefs challenged to create a wellness-forward three-course experience, including a first course, a main course, and a dessert, incorporating a mystery ingredient and highlighting the wellness theme. Each course was also expected to demonstrate the chef’s skill in crafting clean, health-conscious, and intentional dishes that are well-balanced and attractively presented. In the table design and service contest, the stews had to design to match the wellness theme, encapsulating their “artistry in table design, holistic service, and creative ambiance.” This year’s judging panel brought together an impressive mix of talent, including Chef Elizabeth Lee of East Yachts; Michelin-starred Chef Colin McGurran; award-winning superyacht chef Danny Davies; Chef Rio Alexander of The Beautiful Table; Chef Jean Pierre Tuitt from Jumby Bay Resort; and yacht chef Lola Vuillemenot. Chef Elizabeth Lee, Concours de Chef coordinator, shared that the 2025 contest included 26 yachts. “The competition level was very high, with many gifted chefs and interior crewmembers collaborating to impress our discerning judges,” Lee said. “While only a few yachts and their crew could take home the coveted awards, I want to emphasize that the competition is not the sole arbiter of one's talent and potential. Interpreting the theme and incorporating the secret ingredient while balancing taste and presentation is a significant creative challenge. All chefs and crew demonstrated wonderful abilities regardless of final placement.” Chef Competition Yachts 180ft and over:1st place: Chef Thean Labuschagne, M/Y Starfire2nd place: Chef Daniel Stoma Baldo, M/Y Roma3rd place: Chef Alessandro Cargiolli, M/Y Amor a Vida Yachts 126-179ft:1st place: Chef Jonny Sims, M/Y Asani2nd place: Chef Molly McMullin, M/Y White Star3rd place: Chef Sean Connolly, M/Y King BenjiYachts 125ft and under:1st place: Chef Thomas Carmeille, S/Y Kajikia 2nd place: Chef Alexis Charrett, S/Y Reve Blue3rd place: Chef Luke Brooks, M/Y Haze IIYacht Table Design and Service Competition Yachts 180ft and over:1st place: Chief Stewardesses Nora Edgington and Paloma Estrada, M/Y Amor a Vida2nd place: Chief Stewardess Aimie Keech, M/Y Starfire3rd place: Chief Stewardess Tamaryn Smith, M/Y Elis et MarYachts 126-179ft:1st place: Chief Stewardess Matilda Redmond, M/Y Asani2nd place: Chief Stewardess Beth Pendrous, M/Y Amica Mea3rd place: Chief Stewardess Michelle Riherd, M/Y King Baby Yachts 125ft and under:1st place: Chief Stewardess Alena Konysheva, M/Y Allora 2nd place: Chief Stewardess Isabel Tyrrell, M/Y Haze II3rd place: Chief Stewardess Anais Michel, S/Y Kajikia For more photos, check out the show gallery.Photo: Roddy Grimes-Graeme Check out Triton's latest issue