This month’s Stew of the Month is our youngest yet! Ella is just 19 and is already enjoying her second season in yachting.

 

What did you do before yachting, and how did your yachting career first begin?

I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in yachting as I’ve always had a passion for the water and sailing. I finished my A Levels, and 3 days after our prom I flew to Antibes and did my STCW. I managed to get some daywork and then a month later I got a job as a sole stewardess on a 22m. The day after I joined the boss came – it was straight in at the deep end!

 

What has been your favourite boat you’ve worked on, and why?

My current boat, Metsuyan IV, is my favourite boat so far, because the crew is fantastic, and I like the atmosphere we create on board.

 

What are the best and worst parts about working onboard?

The best part is the food! I also love being around people. I don’t particularly dislike anything so far…!

 

How do you keep sane on charter? I wasn’t sane in the first place!

 

What are your best strategies for spoiling charter guests? I like to make interesting turn-down treats, such a mini bowls of popcorn or freshly-infused fruit waters.

 

What’s the strangest request you’ve had from guests? On my last boat, I was sent on a tender ride to go and buy emergency pork pies!

 

What is your favourite yachting destination? I’ve not visited that many destinations so far, however I’m currently in Croatia and I’m really enjoying the peace and beauty of it.

 

If you owned a superyacht, what would you do differently? I would not own one! I wouldn’t want someone attending to me all the time – I’d be much happier with a small sailing yacht circumnavigating the globe.

 

What is your on-board pet hate? Toilet rolls being put on the wrong way!

 

Best housekeeping tip/hack? I’ve learnt that for so many jobs, either vinegar or alcohol will do the trick. I’ve found that the skin on my hands has significantly benefitted from this too.

 

What’s your favourite adventure in Mallorca? I love walking up to the Bellver castle in Palma and watching the sunset and the bats coming out.

 

If you could meet your 30yr old self, what advice would she give you? “You regret the things in life that you don’t do, more than the things you do”

 

What’s your plan for the future?

I plan to go to university to study eco-technology in the winter, then return to yachting for the summer seasons to help pay for my studies.

 

Interviewed by Emmeline Gee, from Angels On Board.

 

 

 

 

From ship to shore

 

Every month I interview someone who has made the transition from working in yachting to a career on land. This month I spoke with Balu Pandiyan, who now runs his own wine education and consultation business, www.blancarouge.com.

 

How long did you work in yachting? Can you tell me about your yachting career – highlights, low points?

 

I worked/explored for six years from 2005 to 2011 on MY Kogo, as a stress-free 2^nd Steward for a year and then as a responsible chief steward for five years. It was a small unique floating paradise with charming universal work culture.

 

Yachting is a luxurious industry with a personalized service with high service standards. Well on the other side it’s absolutely fun working place with joy, exploring and a working environment where multi-nationality crew live together like a small family. I still remember our movie night in the crew lounge after the charter -24 of us in front of TV with popcorn!

 

Yachting is a life-style, it shows us the latest technology, new trends. We develop our palate and beverage selections. You know I love Foie Gras with Chateau d’Yquem ‘86… Thanks to yachting!!

 

Personally it was a great learning place for me; I very much developed my team-building techniques, organizing skills and of course stress management too.

 

I am sure all work places, whether small or big, there will be some challenges, as the French say “C’est la Vie” – whether you like it or not, it’s a package.

 

I feel keeping the crew motivated during a long charter is particularly challenging.

 

How did you know it was time for you to make the move to land?

Seriously, I did not hear any bell! I thought of developing my passion, so I left yachting and went to the USA for my wine higher studies.

 

What was the most difficult thing about the transition?

Personally I knew all the crew in MY Kogo yacht, but when I went back to the hotel industry, God! I hardly got to know 10% of the staff and I felt kind of lost.

 

Also, I had to start looking the price tag of all items we buy and never procuring more then what we require, unlike how it was in the yacht.

 

Now even the local drink seemed to taste better than a Bellini at Hotel Cala di Volpe, given you don’t have to worry about charter/ crew stress in the yacht.

 

I started becoming economical & spending less than before; even keeping an account of spare change which wasn’t the case before!

 

What was the best thing about it?

Getting back to regular life and spending quality time with family and friends.

 

What do you miss most about yachting?

Refreshing early morning tender rides, watching the best sunrises and sunsets, of course the luxury life and the awesome pay package.

 

What do you do now?

I am a Wine Educator and taking my wine journey ahead; I am currently pursuing Advance Sommelier course with The Court of Master Sommeliers Americas. Blanc a Rouge, a freelancing Beverage Consultancy, is my humble effort to give back what I have learnt so far by conducting wine & spirits training. There are many wine lovers and students who need a forum to start and progress ahead in the wine industry; I aim to bridge that gap via Blanc a Rouge by providing the best of wine coaching and deep industry insights to aspiring wine enthusiasts and experts too. I am hopeful in creating better awareness among crew members and hoteliers in helping them create new wine experiences for their patrons and raising the industry benchmark to new levels.

 

Do you have any advice for fellow yachties about going land-based?

 

• Do not take any decision when you are angry or upset with your team.
• Never underestimate the habit of savings even while you are earning big, so please cultivate the saving habit as early as possible
• Think for long term and take professional financial advice so that you will not fall short in pursuing your future aspirations.
• You may bid ‘adieu’ to your yacht but never to the industry!!!

 

 

 

 

August Events

 

2nd – Pollenca’s Moors and Christians Mock Battle turn to re-enact the A lively and fun celebration with a re-enacted battle in the evening with fireworks and locals in full costume.

 

First week of August – Sant Salvador Festival, Arta
All sorts of cultural activities and festivities at this week long festival.

 

13th – Sóller Nit de l’Art

All of the town’s galleries are open for this evening of celebrating art.

 

23rd & 24th – Sant Bartomeu Fiesta, Montuiri and Valdemossa
One of Mallorca’s oldest festivals, with devil-dancing, music and food.

 

Last week of August – St Augusti Festival, Felanitx

Lots of music and family entertainment in this festival in the east of the island, culminating in a traditional exciting ‘Correfoc’ (fire run).