A day of culinary excellence in Palma

Valentine’s Day in Palma de Mallorca is usually reserved for lovers… but this year, I spent mine surrounded by sharp knives, curious ingredients, and a little bit of tequila. Hosted at the well equipped EAT Vacuum Cooking S.L. in the Llevant district of Palma, the second annual ACREW Chef Competition turned into a delicious spectacle of creativity, flair, and good-natured rivalry between some of the best current and former yacht chefs in the industry.

The day kicked off with the Individual Competition, where each of the five chefs was given a “hero ingredient” and allowed just eight extra ingredients from the pantry to work their magic. The hero ingredient this time was beetroot, seemingly boring, but as it turned out, a super versatile root vegetable, with its beautiful red colour tying in beautifully with the Valentine’s theme. It’s one thing to cook a fine meal with a fully stocked galley – it’s quite another to pull off something original, beautiful and balanced with just a handful of items. The judging panel, made up of Helen Grensinger from Gourmet Deliveries, renowned chef Chris Demaillet, and yes – yours truly – had our work cut out.

The energy shifted in the afternoon as the Group Competition began. Three tequila pairings – Reposado, Mezcal, and Añejo – were presented by Padre Azul, and each team had to craft a trio of tequila-friendly appetisers. Cris switched roles from a judge to a chef and we ended up having two teams of three chefs. Creativity flowed, teamwork was tested, and I’ve never had so many incredible bites featuring tequila-laced ingredients in one sitting.

Let me introduce the chefs who made this event such a joy:

Daniel Stoma Baldo brought not only finesse but experience from some of the world’s finest restaurants, including two-Michelin-starred Les Amis in Singapore. Born in Uruguay and raised in Spain, Daniel is now head chef on MY Khalilah – and his dessert featuring citrus and spice was one of the highlights of the day for me.

Mathew Griffiths, who has been in the industry since the age of 15, wowed us with his clean flavours and understated plating. With experience spanning from Buckingham Palace to the Arctic Circle, his calm, methodical approach made him a formidable competitor.

Antonio Iaselli radiated quiet confidence and southern Italian soul. With a strong background in French and Mediterranean cuisine, honed over many seasons on MY Queen Aida, his dishes had a refined simplicity that let the ingredients shine.

Paulo Ucha Longhin was the wildcard – Brazilian-born, trained in Milan, and passionate about fusion and wellness cuisine. Currently working on MY Skyfall, Paulo’s tequila-paired appetisers combined Latin American flair with unexpected pairings that kept us intrigued.

Last but definitely not least, Daniela Urgoiti de Mendoza brought a vibrant South American twist to everything she played. A self-taught chef and former stewardess, now making waves on MY Saluzi, her presentation and bold flavours reminded us why passion and instinct are just as important as formal training.

And, of course, Cris Demaillet, who jumped in at the last minute to replace a chef who could not make it, to complete the teams. 

By the end of the day, we judges were full – literally and emotionally. Watching these chefs perform under pressure, collaborate, and laugh together was a true privilege. The overall winner walked away with €1,000, a bespoke bottle of Padre Azul tequila, the coveted ACREW trophy, and a flower bouquet from Fleurs – but every participant received a nomination for the 2025 ACREW Crew Awards, and honestly, they all deserved it.

Events like these remind me why I love this island and this industry. Mallorca has long been a hub for yachts, but it’s also becoming a stage for the exceptional talent behind the scenes – those who make unforgettable meals in the smallest of galleys, in the middle of the sea.

Here’s to more competitions, more tequila-infused appetisers, and more reasons to celebrate the culinary stars of the yachting world!

More photo’s: https://www.flickr.com/photos/acrewyachting/albums/72177720323890826/