A friend of mine who owns a large charter yacht (72ft LOA), has received an
enquiry from a group of US yachtsmen to charter his yacht and cruise the
inner and outer Hebrides for 2 weeks in August.

They have requested "a chef" to be available throughout the cruise, which
has somewhat perplexed my pal

Does the word "chef" mean the same in the US as here in the UK, i.e. a
professionally-qualified high-grade Gordon Ramsay type who will dream up all
manner of meals to satisfy the palates of every individual member of the
8-strong party plus the crew of 3, or are they really looking for a ".cook"?

There is a huge difference in the meaing of these 2 words here in the UK.
Chefs can earn £50K to £150K a year in Europe (particularly in the UK), and
to engage one for 2 weeks would add considerably to the cost of the charter.

Some clarification from US sailors would be most welcome!


Dennis Pogson

On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:29:29 -0000, "Dennis Pogson"
wrote:

A friend of mine who owns a large charter yacht (72ft LOA), has received an
enquiry from a group of US yachtsmen to charter his yacht and cruise the
inner and outer Hebrides for 2 weeks in August.

They have requested "a chef" to be available throughout the cruise, which
has somewhat perplexed my pal

Does the word "chef" mean the same in the US as here in the UK, i.e. a
professionally-qualified high-grade Gordon Ramsay type who will dream up all
manner of meals to satisfy the palates of every individual member of the
8-strong party plus the crew of 3, or are they really looking for a ".cook"?

There is a huge difference in the meaing of these 2 words here in the UK.
Chefs can earn £50K to £150K a year in Europe (particularly in the UK), and
to engage one for 2 weeks would add considerably to the cost of the charter.

Some clarification from US sailors would be most welcome!


Dennis Pogson

He needs to clarify it with the people with whom he is negotiating.
All that matters is what THEY want and expect. They may have no idea
what it is they have asked for, or that it is even open to
interpretation.

On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:29:29 -0000, "Dennis Pogson"
wrote:

A friend of mine who owns a large charter yacht (72ft LOA), has received an
enquiry from a group of US yachtsmen to charter his yacht and cruise the
inner and outer Hebrides for 2 weeks in August.

They have requested "a chef" to be available throughout the cruise, which
has somewhat perplexed my pal

Does the word "chef" mean the same in the US as here in the UK, i.e. a
professionally-qualified high-grade Gordon Ramsay type who will dream up all
manner of meals to satisfy the palates of every individual member of the
8-strong party plus the crew of 3, or are they really looking for a ".cook"?

There is a huge difference in the meaing of these 2 words here in the UK.
Chefs can earn £50K to £150K a year in Europe (particularly in the UK), and
to engage one for 2 weeks would add considerably to the cost of the charter.

Some clarification from US sailors would be most welcome!


Dennis Pogson


You will probably get a lot of answers but generally a "chef" is a
professional cook, i.e., a guy who makes his living cooking. Of
course, as you say, the term can be used for people who are real
innovators and create new dishes and so on.

I suggest that what your potential clients are talking about is a good
cook. someone who can cook for a party and make good and varied meals.
NO BANGERS AND MASH AND SQUISHY PEAS!

If the boat is a 70 ft. motor yacht it is probably that previous
charter parties will have established a standard of catering that
should be satisfactory, but if in doubt one might draw up a "standard
menu" for say, a week and furnish it to the prospective clients for
comments.

My experience is that the more money a party is paying the more
cosseting they demand and small touches such as coordinating menus
prior to the arrival of the guests (when you still have time to do
something about it :-) is often appreciated.

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)

On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:20:18 +0700, Bruce In Bangkok
wrote:

I suggest that what your potential clients are talking about is a good
cook.

Yes, and on a 70 footer should also have a chef's hat and clean white
aprons. :-)

If in doubt, give the clients a choice of several with
resumes/references/price, and let them pick. If your friend with the
boat has a wife who cooks well and likes to entertain, then she would
be the ideal candidate assuming that he is going along as yacht
master.

Wayne.B wrote:
.. a good cook.

Yes, and on a 70 footer should also have a chef's hat and clean white
aprons. :-)

If in doubt, give the clients a choice of several with
resumes/references/price, and let them pick. If your friend with the
boat has a wife who cooks well and likes to entertain, then she would
be the ideal candidate assuming that he is going along as yacht
master.


What he said

Brian W

Bruce In Bangkok wrote:
NO BANGERS AND MASH AND SQUISHY PEAS!


Oiy! I consider bangers and mushy peas with vinegar to be a delicacy!
But then again I'm somewhat of a Pagan........

Problem is you can't get good English sausages here in Canada, the ones
they sell here have meat in them.... gr

Cheers
Martin

On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:31:59 -0400, Martin Baxter
wrote:

Bruce In Bangkok wrote:
NO BANGERS AND MASH AND SQUISHY PEAS!


Oiy! I consider bangers and mushy peas with vinegar to be a delicacy!
But then again I'm somewhat of a Pagan........

Problem is you can't get good English sausages here in Canada, the ones
they sell here have meat in them.... gr

Cheers
Martin

Good one.

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)

On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:29:29 -0000, "Dennis Pogson"
wrote:

A friend of mine who owns a large charter yacht (72ft LOA), has received an
enquiry from a group of US yachtsmen to charter his yacht and cruise the
inner and outer Hebrides for 2 weeks in August.

They have requested "a chef" to be available throughout the cruise, which
has somewhat perplexed my pal

Does the word "chef" mean the same in the US as here in the UK, i.e. a
professionally-qualified high-grade Gordon Ramsay type who will dream up all
manner of meals to satisfy the palates of every individual member of the
8-strong party plus the crew of 3, or are they really looking for a ".cook"?

There is a huge difference in the meaing of these 2 words here in the UK.
Chefs can earn £50K to £150K a year in Europe (particularly in the UK), and
to engage one for 2 weeks would add considerably to the cost of the charter.

Some clarification from US sailors would be most welcome!

I think that in the US anyone can call himself a chef. I think they
want a cook who can do seafood well, and can cope with the somewhat
primitive conditions founds on yachts. Pay? Less than the skipper and
more than a deckhand, be my guess.

Casady

"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
A friend of mine who owns a large charter yacht (72ft LOA), has received an
enquiry from a group of US yachtsmen to charter his yacht and cruise the
inner and outer Hebrides for 2 weeks in August.

They have requested "a chef" to be available throughout the cruise, which
has somewhat perplexed my pal

Does the word "chef" mean the same in the US as here in the UK, i.e. a
professionally-qualified high-grade Gordon Ramsay type who will dream up
all manner of meals to satisfy the palates of every individual member of
the 8-strong party plus the crew of 3, or are they really looking for a
".cook"?

There is a huge difference in the meaing of these 2 words here in the UK.
Chefs can earn £50K to £150K a year in Europe (particularly in the UK),
and to engage one for 2 weeks would add considerably to the cost of the
charter.

Some clarification from US sailors would be most welcome!


Dennis Pogson

A real "chef" is "chief of the kitchen," running everything and everyone in
it. The word implies knowledge and skill in all aspects of the kitchen arts,
but is usually meant for, simply, a decent cook. Don't hire somebody from
Denny's. On the other hand, someone who has cooked for her own family for
years would probably have more than enough experience.

Dennis Pogson wrote:
A friend of mine who owns a large charter yacht (72ft LOA), has received
an enquiry from a group of US yachtsmen to charter his yacht and cruise
the inner and outer Hebrides for 2 weeks in August.

They have requested "a chef" to be available throughout the cruise,
which has somewhat perplexed my pal

Does the word "chef" mean the same in the US as here in the UK, i.e. a
professionally-qualified high-grade Gordon Ramsay type who will dream up
all manner of meals to satisfy the palates of every individual member of
the 8-strong party plus the crew of 3, or are they really looking for a
".cook"?

There is a huge difference in the meaing of these 2 words here in the
UK. Chefs can earn £50K to £150K a year in Europe (particularly in the
UK), and to engage one for 2 weeks would add considerably to the cost of
the charter.

Some clarification from US sailors would be most welcome!


Chef is professional food preparer. The quality would be based on the
availability and the price they are willing to pay. Just saying 'chef'
does not mean Gorden Ramsey quality! It can mean any one whose in charge
of the kitchen even of rather poor quality.