Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show
High Stakes for FLIBS’ Second Day
Crew get crowned Best in Show
FRIDAY 11.1.24
M/Y Miss Stephanie Crew Win Best in Show Competition at FLIBS 2024
By Kevin Maher
Three sets of crew representing three yachts in the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) competed in a Canapés and Cocktails Challenge on Wednesday, Oct. 30, with the winning team crowned Best in Show. The event, held at the Oasis Lounge’s Swimming Hall of Fame location in FLIBS, was sponsored by Triton News, Global Marine Travel (GMT), Yacht Chandlers, Dianthus Miami, Chef Danny Davies, and The Oasis Lounge.
The three yachts participating included M/Y Freedom , represented by Head Chef Ruthie Kallai, Chief Stew Julie Emmons, and Deck Stew Molly Priebe; M/Y Miss Stephanie with Head Chef Moises Vilomar, Chief Stew Winnie Skupin, and Second Stew Jordan Michel; and M/Y No Bad Ideas with Head Chef Warren Carney, Chief Stew Boudine Nagel, and Second Stew Andria Weppenaar. The teams were given mystery ingredients 18 hours before the competition, allowing them to brainstorm three canapés that fit under seafood, meat, and vegetarian categories.
Chef Danny Davies emceed the competition, while the six judges included Gemma Hulbert of The Yacht Stew Academy, Head Chef Nina Wilson of M/Y Loon, Head Chef Christian Russo of M/Y Remember When, Yacht Chandlers’ Director of Yacht Provisioning John Pinkerton, Managing Director of GMT and Co-founder of the Oasis Lounge Tim Davey, and Head
Chef Hannah Rose of Phoenix II
Davey and Wilson were looking for creativity as a standout feature, Pinkerton focused on the quality of the plate, and Russo looked for originality from the teams. As the crew finished preparing, the judges began tasting each of the team’s dishes. After a period of deliberation, the M/Y Miss Stephanie team won the competition, securing Best in Show. Teams won prizes including more than $2,000 in cash and prizes from Yacht Chandlers, GMT, and Triton, GMT travel coolers and Triton gift baskets full of swag, gift cards, and chef knives, and $1,200 worth of courses to The Yacht Stew Academy.
“You saw my excitement, right? I was jumping in the air,” Skupin said. “It’s nice when what you’re doing makes people happy, because at the end of the day, what we do is make people happy.”
Vilomar originally joined the competition to have fun, but the victory was a great addition to the experience, and he urged crew to participate in similar events. Hulbert, who judged the Miss Stephanie team as her top team, said the focus on the details, including the order to eat the canapés was one of the reasons she scored them highly.
“All the teams went all out with this year’s theme — the food was of such a high level,” Davies said. “Congratulations to everyone that took part — outstanding work and community spirit.”
Yachting luxury is on display in full splendor at FLIBS
Mega Yachts under 80 ft. at the show available for sale, courtesy of YATCO, the trusted global marketplace of yachting.
Pick up the YATCO showbook during FLIBS, your pocket size luxury guide to all the yachts and boats listed by the professional members of YATCO.
CREW
Photos by Kevin Maher and Lauren Beck
CREW SCENE ON THE DOCKS
Photos by Kevin Maher and Lauren Beck
Photos by Kevin Maher and Lauren Beck
Anita Warwick
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Crew • Expats • Travel
The 2024 FLIBS Oasis Lounge is made possible by:
CO-ORGANIZERS:
GMT - Global Marine Travel
Yacht Chandlers
SPONSORS:
Aqua Promotions
Datum RMS
Derecktor Shipyards
Dianthus Miami
Engineered Yacht Solutions
Informa MedAire, Inc
MHG Insurance
Newcoast Insurance
Odyssey Elixir
Shipyard Supply USA
Station Satcom
The Triton
Weather Routing Inc.
Yacht Entertainment Solutions
The Oasis Lounge
The Official Hospitality Lounges for Superyacht Captains & Crew
Drop by between shifts to enjoy complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and mingle with fellow industry members, sponsors, captains, and crew.
Crew Competitions & Prizes
Including: fender wars, floral arranging, tablescaping, and chefs’ challenges.
Educational Seminars
On both medical response protocols for yachts and hull insurance.
Rugby Watch Party
England vs New Zealand in the Autumn Nations Series, Saturday, November 2nd at 11:10 am EST.
With over 30 years of yacht fueling experience around the globe, the team at Tango Sierra has a lot to offer. Whether you’re cruising the familiar areas of yachting like the Caribbean, U.S. and Mediterranean, or blazing new trails to more remote parts of the world, we have the specialized knowledge and experience to keep you moving.
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