USVI Charter Yacht Show - Food by Moe's Fresh Market & The Market St. Thomas
by VIPCA 14 Aug 2023 00:26 NZST
November 11-14, 2023
Tru North on charter in the U.S. Virgin Islands © Beyond Yacht Charters
Over two-thirds (69%) of U.S. travelers feel trying new food is important when planning trips, according to a TripAdvisor report*.
Food sponsor, Moe's Fresh Market VI & The Market St. Thomas, are key to keeping yachts provisioned, and their support of the USVI Charter Yacht Show, November 11-14, 2023, demonstrates their commitment to the Virgin Islands charter industry. Communications sponsor, Viya, will also support the Show's keenly anticipated Culinary Competition that spotlights the culinary talents of charter yacht chefs.
"Now more than ever, the quality of food and beverage offered on charter yachts rivals many fine dining restaurants," says Emily Mack, crewed charter expert with Virgin Island Sailing, based in Tampa, FL. "The culinary and cocktail competitions give the crew a chance to show off their skill set in a way that can't always be translated in short interviews, sample menus and canapes, or even a hosted lunch. The competition is stiff and the bragging rights that come with it are well earned. It is a big bonus to be able to note a crew with a winning entry when booking a charter, and is a definite plus!"
Moe's Fresh Market VI & The Market St. Thomas are full-service supermarkets, with expanded natural, organic and gluten-free offerings. Markets are in the North, East, South, and Central St. Thomas for all chef's needs wherever their yacht is berthed. For online shopping, moesmarketplacevi.com or themarketstt.com
"We take pride and care in everything we procure, produce and provide to our customers. This spans from fresh produce, meats and seafood to hard-to-find items and global cuisine ingredients. We also have one of the largest selections of wine and liquors. This assures yacht crews can provision with everything they need to create fine dining experiences for their guests," says Willie Hamad, co-owner of Moe's Fresh Market VI and The Market St. Thomas.
Bring the heat!
The world has hit record temperatures this year, so why not keep it going with a heat-themed Culinary Competition, says competition coordinator Julius Jackson, a St. Thomas native, professional chef, and Olympian who represented the USVI in Boxing in 2008, who has appeared on The Food Network and The Cooking Channel. "In the five years I've judged this competition, heat hasn't been included as a component, so I wanted to bring on the heat this year. This could be 'heat' as in spice, with chefs showing a balance of heat and other ingredients that all guests can enjoy. It can also be 'heat' such as flaming. Bananas Foster is a popular example, but I want to see what else chefs can do that takes advantage of the effect and flavor of caramelization."
Registration is now open for the Culinary Competition at usviyachtshow.org/culinary-competition. Competing charter chefs are required to make an appetizer and dessert, working heat into both. There are extra points for using and highlighting local produce. Recently launched hydroponic grower, Smart Life Farms in St. Thomas, will provide herbs and microgreens including arugula, scallion, and beet, and some oyster mushrooms. Chefs can place orders year-round from their website smartlifefarms.com.
Viya will provide mobile internet devices with one year of service as the coveted prize for first-place winners in the Culinary Competition, as well as Cocktail Mixologist Competition winners in the Grey Goose Vodka and Captain Morgan Rum categories. Second-place winners will also receive Viya's Mi-Fi hotspots with one year of service. Other prizes will be awarded to winning chefs, including vouchers provided by Ashburton Cookery School.
"As the premier telecommunications provider in the USVI, with the full suite of connectivity solutions, Viya is uniquely positioned to support the USVI charter yacht community. The highly anticipated 2023 USVI Charter Show allows Viya to proudly sponsor this event with connectivity and prizes while showcasing products and services suited for the yachting community," says Geraldine Pitt, chief executive officer.
Viya Business Solutions will highlight its new Viya Link during this fall's USVI Charter Yacht Show. Viya Link is a powerful router with Wi-Fi 6 capacity that provides next-generation speed, simply and securely, over a mobile connection. It's internet on-the-go, and perfect for the yachting community.
Sneak peek @ who's attending
Over 70 yachts are expected to show, with a boutique mix of sailing multihulls and monohulls plus power yachts. Yachts from 50' to over 100' are already registered. One of these is the 67', 2021-built Fountaine Pajot Alegria, Tru North, a top-of-the-line luxury cruising cat. A large dive compressor onboard and a certified Divemaster onboard permit daily dives, perfect for working up an appetite.
"Our chef, Simone de Wet, has received 5-star ratings on her culinary skills from all previous guests that had the pleasure of enjoying her meals," says Captain Jaco de Wet. "Our steward, Euan, makes sure no guests go thirsty."
Register now!
Yachts can register at usviyachtshow.org/register with slip space available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Brokers can also register at usviyachtshow.org/register
"It is invaluable to attend the charter yacht shows and see the vessels firsthand. While images of the yachts and knowledge of the makes/models give you an understanding of the layout, being aboard lets brokers attest to the condition, feel, and quality of the finishes. The crew is such an important part of the charter, getting to meet them and learn about and experience their food and beverage offerings allows a broker to make informed recommendations based on what their clientele is looking for," says Mack.
The Show is FREE for VIPCA member brokers. This is a great deal as VIPCA membership offers additional year-round benefits including advertising opportunities and the latest industry updates, plus supports the association's year-round work. Brokers can receive a discounted rate of $244 per night on accommodations at Bluebeard's Castle by booking by phone and giving the discount code 'VIPCA Yacht Show'. A daily shuttle service will offer easy access to and from the marina.
Strong Sponsor Support
Sponsors of the USVI Charter Yacht Show include the USVI Department of Tourism; Yacht Haven Grande; IGY Marinas; Mango Media; Catamaran Central; the Gowrie Group representing Trawick and Cigna; Grey Goose, distributed by West Indies Company; Veuve Clicquot and Captain Morgan, distributed by Bellows International; Offshore Marine; VIYA Business Solutions; Ankor Software; Island Life Watersports; Cardow Jewelers; Parts & Power Ltd., distributor of Northern Lights; Seachange; the Charter Yacht Broker Association and Harbor Shoppers.
For more information about the USVI Charter Yacht Show, visit usviyachtshow.org. For information about VIPCA and its programs, visit www.VIPCA.org, Email: info@vipca.org, or call (340) 642-0656
*Travel in 2022, A Look Ahead: tripadvisor.com/TravelTrendsReportJan2022