Food makes everything better, whether you’re on land or at sea. But at sea, it matters just a bit more. With no restaurants or delivery options in the middle of the ocean, what the chef conjures in the galley becomes your only source of delight. Fortunately for John R. Miller, Founder of Dakota Pacific Real Estate Partners, his 164-foot Delta motor yacht Victoria Del Mar boasts none other than the winner of the Superyacht Chef Competition. Chef Benjamin Ferrand earned top honors among nine culinary virtuosos who competed at the Yacht Club de Monaco in the event’s sixth edition.
Organized by the YCM Training Center and Bluewater, the competition tested not only creativity and skill but also resilience under pressure. After all, being a yacht chef is unlike any other culinary job, limited space, tight resources, and the unpredictability of life at sea make every meal a challenge. In the competition, chefs were given a mystery basket and just five minutes to craft a recipe.
They had 40 minutes to bring their ideas to life, followed by another 60 minutes to prepare both a main course and dessert for the finale. Sustainability was a key judging factor, and just to turn up the heat, the public was allowed to add surprise ingredients at pop-up kitchens along the docks.
According to La Gazette de Monaco, Ferrand competed against eight other chefs who serve aboard notable vessels like Carinthia VII and Illusion. While all displayed remarkable talent, Ferrand stood out with a truly inventive approach. “I tried to be very gourmet, to play with textures,” he shared. “An emulsion, a very tasty sauce made with crab reduction. For dessert, I created an airy tiramisu with espuma, crunchy crumble, and a Suzette sauce. With chocolate, cocoa, and a touch of kaffir lime, I think the theme was well chosen.”
Inside the luxurious Victoria Del Mar-
Built by American shipyard Delta in 2006 and refitted in 2018, the 781GT yacht is finished in warm beige hues, Anigre, and Zebrawood. It accommodates 14 guests in seven staterooms. The master suite is spacious, featuring a king-sized bed, office desk, lounge area, and large windows offering panoramic views. But it’s the ensuite that steals the show, with dual sinks, decorative mirrors, and a luxurious shower cubicle.
The main salon is a vibrant gathering space, divided into a cozy living area and a formal dining room that seats 14 under a striking chandelier. Noteworthy amenities include an elevator serving all decks, a fully equipped gym that can double as a spa or massage room, and a sun deck with an outdoor galley, bar, and large HD cinema screen, perfect for alfresco movie nights with Ferrand’s culinary masterpieces in hand. A generously sized Jacuzzi and plush sunpads complete the upper deck.
Valued at nearly $20 million, Victoria Del Mar is powered by twin 1,650hp Caterpillar engines, cruising comfortably at 12 knots with a top speed of 14 knots.
Who owns the Victoria Del Mar superyacht –
John R. Miller has spent his career building successful businesses, particularly in agriculture. A graduate of Utah State University, he retired in 2009 as CEO of National Beef Packing Company. Under his leadership, the Missouri-based company skyrocketed from $500 million to over $7 billion in sales, employing more than 8,000 people and distributing to over 60 countries.
