Going from a 26m yacht to a 120m superyacht is like going from camping to the Ritz.

My biggest contract lasted three years—three years serving an ultra-demanding German owner, Mr. S.

How do you last that long in such an intense environment?

The "No Limit" Budget

On a yacht this size, the word "no" doesn't exist.

The owner wants French croissants while we're docked in Italy? I send the helicopter.

He spots a black Ferrari in Miami Vice on TV? A week later, it's waiting on the dock (and since he didn't like the manual gearbox, guess who got to run errands in it!).

In the galley, it was an absolute dream: professional kitchen, vintage wines (venison with Chambertin 1961), ice sculptures… I had the time of my life.

Isolation (The Price of Success)

But beware—success can go to your head.

After constant praise from the owner and his wife (my photo even hung in their living room!), I grew confident. Too confident.

I became arrogant with the crew. The result? The Captain and owner found a radical solution: they converted the yacht's sauna… into a private cabin for me.

I was the Chef, isolated in my own "chalet," cut off from the rest of the team to avoid further clashes.

Why did I last three years?

• Excellence: I never compromised on quality. Every plate was perfect.
• Adaptability: From extravagant birthday parties to 6 a.m. sandwich runs (the ones that got me temporarily fired!).
• Loyalty (despite everything): Even after firing me for insolence, the owner rehired me when we randomly crossed paths at La Mamounia in Morocco.

The lesson for you:

On a mega-yacht, you're not paid just to work. You're paid to excel—and to withstand the pressure. If you're truly good, they'll forgive you (almost) anything. But never forget: you remain an employee, even if you're the one driving the Ferrari.

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