You are the chef onboard a St. Barts yacht charter vessel, and your guests have asked you to create a lavish meal at sea with hard-to-find ingredients. Where do you turn?
The answer is a specialty food supplier such as The Grateful Palate.
SOUTH FLORIDA CATERER
Since 2009, the South Florida-based caterer has offered provisions to discerning customers in the nautical industry. From their 10,000 square foot distribution center in the Fort Lauderdale area, the provisioning company has always sourced and shipped food items, toiletries, and other premium goods to chefs and crew on mostly Caribbean and Bahamas yacht charter vessels. They have also serviced private yachts as well.
CUSTOM ORDERS ARE IMPORTANT
The company has always specialized in working with clients seeking custom orders of the highest-quality products. Expectations have always been high, as charter chefs need items delivered fresh and on time to specific destinations.
CATERER IS NO MORE
But, sadly, The Grateful Palate is no more…..until the Fall of 2014, when they reopen in a larger facility so that they can continue servicing their discriminating clientele!
According to owner Meghan Leckey, being able to meet customers’ demands and deliver the goods resulted in a strong repeat clientele and the company’s continued growth. She said, that it was “…a growing business that [has] picked up substantially over the years.”
PASSOVER CELEBRATION
For Passover this year, Leckey’s company supplied a 200-foot Virgin Islands yacht charter vessel in St. Thomas with kosher meats, sodas, dry goods, and ceremonial supplies for the religious holiday. It also sent specialty kosher caviar flown in from Paris.
Leckey feels she understands the needs of the owners and crews of the world’s largest yachts.
“The secrets of our success are, first of all, really understanding the amazing level of quality demanded by the wealthiest yacht owners in the world and, secondly, anticipating everything the crew will need for the trip,” said Leckey. “There is no other industry in the world that demands this level of attention to quality, from Beluga caviar to toilet paper (as the luxury yacht charter industry), and few other companies in the world that can meet those expectations.”
RELIANCE ON CUSTOMER REFERRALS
The company, as does 1-800 Yacht Charters, relies on customer referrals to spread the word. “We thrive on good remarks, and repeat business is key in this specialized industry,” Leckey said.
France’s efforts to seek an exemption from VAT on yacht rentals has failed, and starting July 15, 2013, charterers can expect to pay an additional 9.8% for their Côte d’Azur yacht charter.
For years, the majority of Mediterranean yacht charter vessels based in France were registered as commercial vessels. This is a strategy that allows their owners to sidestep VAT on the purchase of fuel and on the prices charged for charters. The European Union prevailed in court to force France to follow EU VAT guidelines. Beginning July 15, charters are subject to the nearly 10% fee.
Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters and SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants, Inc. is working closely with her preferred clients. She explains the new fees and to explore alternative destinations where the VAT fees are lower or even not applicable.
Sheeder says,
“We are investigating other countries in the European Union as alternative Mediterranean yacht charter destinations. Gibraltar, for example, has no import duty for yachts over 18 meters – and no VAT.”
Why rent a private yacht to attend the world’s preeminent film festival? What if you can stay onboard your own superyacht?
STEVEN SPIELBERG
That’s exactly what Steven Spielberg does. He opts to stay aboard his 282 foot luxury yacht charter vessel, motor yacht SEVEN SEAS. He does this during film festivals like the 66th annualCannes Film Festival, in Cannes, France.
The legendary film producer and director spends most nights onboard. Why not enjoy your Oceanco motor yacht SEVEN SEAS, along with wife, Kate Capshaw?
Spielberg served as the President of the film jury for the 66th annual competition.
DIRECTOR SPIELBERG COMMENTS
When asked about his role as head of the jury, Spielberg replied, “It is an honor and a privilege to preside over the jury of a festival that proves, again and again, that cinema is the language of the world.”
HOW DO CELEBS HANDLE CROWD?
While other A-list celebs were forced to navigate the crowded streets of Cannes and the endless sea of paparazzi, Spielberg and his guests escaped each evening to the privacy of a, “floating villa.” Spielberg yacht SEVEN SEAS offers accommodations for 12 guests and is loaded with amenities.
The infinity swimming pool on her aft deck can conveniently be transformed into a full helipad, or used as a screen for viewing movies while on deck or in the pool, itself.
The film festival concluded. The yacht and her owner planned to spend several weeks privately cruising. They enjoyed the Mediterranean before heading back to the United States.
The seaside community of Newport, RI welcomes yachts. Once again, it plays host to the annual Newport Yacht Charter Show, June 17 – 20, 2013. The show is the unofficial kick-off to the summer New England yacht charter season.
NEWPORT EXHIBITION GROUP
Entering the second year under management of Newport Exhibition Group, the 31st installment took place at the Newport Yachting Center and featured luxury yachts from 80 feet, to superyachts in the 150 to 225 foot range.
About 60 yachts registered.
WHICH YACHTS ATTEND THE SHOW?
Luxury sailing charter vessels joined motoryachts normally based from Sag Harbor to Bar Harbor for the 4-day affair, attended primarily by yacht charter agents from North America. Agents had an opportunity to inspect yachts, interview the crews, and attend educational seminars about cruising in the northeast United States. Social activities included evening yacht hops and a culinary competition among the charter chefs. Yachting displays like the New England and Monaco luxury yacht shows are important for agents to remain aware of all things yachting!
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE NEWPORT SHOW?
After the show, the yachts return to their summer bases. This puts them in position for inquiries for week-long yachting vacations. For instance, a Martha’s Vineyard Yacht Charter, yachting events in Nantucket, Woodshole yachting, and Maine charters.
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