44° 18′ N 9° 13′ ECrew roles · Sailing superyachts
Chef on a Sailing Superyacht: Role, Certificates and Salary
A sailing yacht chef cooks restaurant-level food in a small galley, sometimes heeled at twenty degrees, and often feeds crew and guests alone.
On most sailing yachts the chef works alone or with one cook/stew, so organisation matters as much as talent. Here is what captains and owners look for and what the role pays.
What the chef does
- Guest and crew meals, menus around guests' preferences and allergies, and provisioning in remote places.
- Cooking on passage and at an angle: secured pots, one-pot dishes, food that works in a seaway.
- Galley hygiene, stock, budgets and planning for long periods away from good markets.
Certificates and experience
- STCW and ENG1, and a food safety and hygiene certificate (Level 2 at least; Level 3 for head chefs).
- The MCA Ship's Cook Certificate or an equivalent, which some flag states require on larger yachts under the MLC.
- Professional kitchen experience, a portfolio of menus and photos, and previous yacht seasons.
Chef salary
| Position | Below 30 m | 30–39 m | 40–49 m | 50–59 m |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Chef | 3,500–4,000 | 4,000–6,000 | 5,500–7,500 | – |
| Head Chef | – | 4,000–6,000 | 5,500–7,500 | 6,000–8,500 |
| Sous / Second Chef | – | – | 4,000–5,000 | 4,000–5,500 |
Euros per month, by yacht length. Source: Yotspot salary guidelines (checked November 2026), which cover all superyachts. Actual pay depends on the programme (private or charter), your experience and certificates, and whether the role is permanent, seasonal or rotational; charter yachts usually add tips. We never charge crew any fee.
Next step
Chefs can register for free and send a sample menu. Owners and captains can start a search.
41° 23′ N 2° 10′ EOpen positions
Open positions
38° 54′ N 1° 26′ EQuestions
Questions
What certificates does a yacht chef need?
STCW, ENG1 and a food safety and hygiene certificate. On larger yachts some flag states also require the MCA Ship's Cook Certificate or an equivalent under the MLC.
How much does a chef earn on a sailing superyacht?
According to Yotspot's salary guidelines, a sole chef earns about €3,500–4,000 a month below 30 m and €4,000–6,000 on 30–39 m, and a head chef €5,500–7,500 on 40–49 m.