54 YACHTS & YACHTING
FROM MASTERCHEF TO MEGAYACHT
They say life is all about timing and for the head chef of superyacht HBC Andrew Durham , this has certainly been the case . Stepping into the yacht ’ s galley while moored in Antigua , we sat down with Andrew to learn more about his extraordinary culinary journey .
Andrew is no stranger to life at sea , but it hasn ’ t always been on board a superyacht . His first experience as a professional chef was in the Royal Navy , cooking for thousands of Royal Marines .
Recognised for his natural talent , he was selected for the Navy competition team and represented the service around the world , participating in prestigious competitions such as the Culinary Olympics and the World Cup .
Just eight people from the British Army , Navy , and RAF are chosen to form one team . “ There are thousands of people at the Culinary Olympics in a huge stadium . There ’ s an opening ceremony where you walk out with your flags , and it ’ s very much like the sporting Olympics ,” he recalls .
Following this , he became a chef lecturer for the Navy , teaching professional cookery until he was chosen as the Admiral ’ s personal chef , and he then cooked for royalty and foreign dignitaries in a stately home in Portsmouth .
So , after 13 years , why did he leave ? “ Without sounding arrogant , I had achieved everything . I had every award , and there was nowhere left to go – no progression for me other than a desk job , and that ’ s not me – I ’ m a chef . That ’ s what fills me with joy .”
During his 12-month notice period , Andrew applied for the TV show MasterChef : The Professionals and made it the final five out of an initial 48 contestants . The show was aired in 2019 and riding high on a wave of success , Andrew was approached by the Gordon Ramsay Group , restaurants in Hong Kong , and even a millionaire who wanted to build an eco-restaurant for Andrew to run .
So how did he make the move into superyachts ? “ Actually , it ’ s all part of the same story . After MasterChef , one of the phone calls I received was from a superyacht captain who had watched the show . He said , “ With your experience in the Navy , I think you ’ d be a great fit as a head chef on a yacht .” And I said , ‘ Oh , amazing . That ’ s great - but no , thank you .
I ’ m off to work for Gordon Ramsay ! I ’ m going to go and open my own restaurant .’” However , with the culmination of Brexit , Covid , and the Cost-of-Living Crisis , saw Andrew having to close the restaurant . “ I remembered the call from that captain , and I found him
THE ART OF LUXURY ISSUE 69 2025