Bringing Out the Best in the Charter Industry

By Tuesday, it was heating up at the four-day (June 23-26) Newport Charter Yacht Show, not only because of record-setting high temperatures that had moved into New England but also because it was the day set aside for the Show’s annual Chef’s Competition, a highlight of several crew contests designed to showcase the talents of those who are the backbone of luxury charter yacht experiences. Paying special attention were charter brokers who had begun inspecting 15 participating motor and sailing yachts berthed at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, the show’s producer and owner. It was in their best interest to know the yachts and how each might match with the discriminating desires of their clients seeking the ultimate on-water vacation.

The annual Newport Charter Yacht Show takes place on the waterfront at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard Show. Photo courtesy of Newport Charter Yacht Show

“We had an amazing response from brokers here,” said Mitch Armstrong, captain of the 110’ M/Y IN THE ZONE, presented by Fraser Yachts. “We just launched our charter program, so this was good for us. I’ve spent 25 years running charters, and every boat is different. Some have water toys everywhere; others are floating discotheques. We offer toys, but we’re also for those who want to decompress and have an elegant time. Not that we don’t ‘go, go, go’ when we’re asked to, but we make sure in advance that we understand what the client is looking for and tailor each charter to make it remarkable.”

Boasting expansive windows that bathe the interior in natural light, IN THE ZONE accommodates eight guests across four staterooms. The main deck offers a comfortable layout ideal for entertainment and relaxation alike, while a dinette area adjacent to an open plan “country kitchen” style galley creates the perfect space for those who enjoy culinary arts.

The 99’ M/Y Proposition, presented by IYC, was also new to the charter scene this year, having been built in 2025 as part of an ultra-limited series. “Everyone loves to see a brand-new boat,” said Proposition’s Charter Manager Maureen Diaz as the yacht’s floor-to-ceiling windows reflected a contemporary interior that accommodates up to 10 guests in five cabins, one of which is a full-beam master suite on the main deck.  “We have availability from mid-July onwards,” she said, adding that the end game for all yachts here at the Newport Charter Yacht Show is to fill any vacancies in a schedule that typically sees these yachts head to the Northeast for the summer months and south for winter.

On the 118’ M/Y Island Cowboy, presented by Northrop & Johnson, charter manager Nicole Pope said, “Feedback from brokers was very positive, 100% of it.” This was her company’s first opportunity to show Island Cowboy in public. “It’s better to see in person; photos don’t do her justice,” Pope said. Standout features include a beach club “which is unusual for a boat of its size,” a step-down tub in the master, and walk-in closets in two VIP suites with king-size beds that convert into two twins as needed.

Clockwise from top left: M/Y Magnum Ride, M/Y Island Cowboy, M/Y Proposition, M/Y Lady B’s dining deck, S/Y Tyche, M/Y Freedom, and S/Y Andromeda with M/Y Acta at the 2025 Newport Charter Yacht Show. Credit Michele Almeida/Miste Photography

Island Cowboy’s Captain Pedro Gerard summed up his first-time experience here as exceptional. “The size of the show made it easy for me and the crew to connect to everyone here,” he said. “It’s quality that counts; I will recommend to our owner that we come every year!”

For brokers, the Show disclosed not only which yachts were new but also which had undergone rebuilds, upgrades or changes to crew. From the largest yacht, the 170’ M/Y Lady B, presented by Fraser Yachts, to the smallest, the 59’ S/Y Tyche, presented by Nicholson Yachts, each participant dazzled with its own special appeal and a captain and crew determined to stand out among the many.

Said Newport Charter Yacht Show Director Veronica Brown: “The show has so much energy. The agents and brokers are working together to bring the best out of what their trade has to offer while the captains and crews are showcasing their skills and interfacing with our vendors on professional services and products they might need.”

The Newport Charter Yacht Show rounded out with onboard luncheons and social and networking events such as daily breakfasts under the event tent sponsored by Hallam’s Marine Service; a Captain and Crew Happy Hour and Show Briefing sponsored by AkzoNobel, Total Decking Services, and Bridge Liquors; the American Yacht Charter Association’s annual Signature Seminar Series; a spirited evening “Yacht Hop”; a Crew Competition Awards Party sponsored by Alexseal Yacht Coatings, Barton & Gray Mariners Club, Denison Yachting, and Citizens Bank; and the Crew Competitions themselves, which, along with the battle of the Chefs, included a Captain & Deck Challenge, Tablescaping Competition, Charter Yacht Brokers Association Designer Water Contest and a Signature Cocktail Competition, all sponsored by Dockwalk magazine, Denison Yachting, and National Marine Suppliers with partners US Superyacht Association, Aere Marine, Big Weather Gear, Lalo Tequila, Sundial Cocktails, Whalers Brewing Company, and Young Designs Floral Studio. On-site vendors were AERE Marine Group, Black River Caviar, FLUX Marine, Newport Yacht Interiors, CUTCO, Sol Optics, Patio Enclosures, and Vitamin Sea Co Newport. The Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, host of the Newport Yacht Rendezvous on June 27 at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, was the show’s charitable partner, while Dockwalk magazine was the show’s official media partner, and the Newport Marriott was the show’s preferred hotel.

Clockwise from top left: Best Chef Competition contenders shop the marketplace, Winnie DeCosta presents themes, M/Y In the Zone’s Chef Gabby Piotto, Piotto’s winning “Anniversary” dish entrée, celebrity judges, Chef Garrett Hamilton’s “New Year’s Eve” inspired striped bass, Piotto receives her awards from representatives of sponsor National Marine Suppliers. Credit Michele Almeida/Miste Photography

On to the Winners

Chef Gabriela Piotto of M/Y IN THE ZONE was “in total shock” that she won the Best Chef Competition over seven other entries. In fact, she had hesitated to enter and signed up at the last minute on Monday when the chefs were instructed to choose fresh meats, fish, vegetables and greens from a market style display, curated by National Marine Suppliers. The ingredients were to be used in their presentations of final dishes to a panel of judges on Tuesday. Piotto’s winning entrée – striped bass with forbidden black rice, beurre blanc and red watercress-dandelion emulsion, and a watercress and finger lime tempura nest – was inspired by an “Anniversary” theme she chose randomly from among different celebration motifs to use for inspiration.

“This is IN THE ZONE’s first show, and I’ve never been to a show before either!” said Piotto, explaining that she went to culinary school (Cordon Bleu in Miami) in her late 30s after deciding on a career change. About her dish, she said, “I just decided to go with a classic, no-frills recipe that works for me and our guests.”

Declaring Piotto’s dish anything but simple, guest judges Chef Kevin Des Chenes (Culinary Director, Newport Mansions and Private Chef), Kitty McGowan (former yacht chef and president of NautiCom Communications), and Chef Odi Siharaj (owner and head chef of Tsunama in Narragansett) cited exceptional seasoning, texture and plating as the entry’s standout qualities among judging criteria that included taste, presentation, creativity/originality, and use of ingredients provided.

Clockwise from top left: M/Y Temptation crew (middle) wins fender inflating contest, winning designer water aboard M/Y Invictus, M/Y Acta crew member runs obstacle course in the stew tryouts, M/Y Acta’s winning Mocktail: Blush Float, judge favorite tablescape entry aboard M/Y Island Cowboy, M/Y Temptation’s lobster-themed fan favorite tablescape entry. Credit Michele Almeida/Miste Photography

“Charter yachts are an amazing venue for guests to celebrate personal and professional milestones and events,” said Winne DeCoster, who organizes the Chef Competition on behalf of Newport Charter Yacht Show. DeCoster moderated the event along with Joel Christy, Executive Chef of the Provisions Department at National Marine Suppliers, which awarded cash prizes for first ($1,000), second ($750), and third ($500) finishes.

Finishing second was Chef Garrett Hamilton from M/Y Acta, with his “New Year’s Eve” inspired striped bass with potato crust and crispy striped skin, radish, pickled red onion, a confit of carrots with asparagus and plating that moved from the old year to the new. Third place went to Chef Katie Provenza from M/Y Temptation with her “Bachelorette” entrée of striped bass crudo compressed watermelon, tomato water, pickled shallot, finger lime, micro greens and chili oil.

Winning the Designer Water Contest was M/Y Invictus, presented by Worldwide Boat, which incorporated kiwi, pomegranate, dragon fruit, mint, peppercorns and hibiscus into its presentation. M/Y Lexington, presented by Nicholson Yachts, for a second year in a row, won the Signature Cocktail Competition, which required the use of Lalo Tequila, with its Tequila Mockingbird, while M/Y Acta won the simultaneously held Mocktail Competition with its Blush Float.

M/Y Island Cowboy’s Chief Stewardess Evelyn Chlebowicz set up her “elegant, refined, and upscale” Tablescape Competition entry as she would for a final dinner for guests, using shells and silver accessories that made it stand out as the winner in the professional judging division. “I hadn’t entered originally, but someone saw it and said I needed to,” said Chlebowicz. Voted as fan favorite by brokers and show attendees was M/Y Temptation with its Rhode Island Lobster theme.

After these onboard competitions were held on Tuesday, the friendly and spirited Captain and Crew Competitions got underway in the main show tent to double as that evening’s entertainment. This year, M/Y Temptation smoked all the competition in both the fender inflating and stew “tryout” competitions. In the floral design challenge, M/Y Invictus prevailed.

For Wednesday evening’s Yacht Hop, attendees experienced a little bit of everything, from karaoke to live music, Espresso Martinis to Jell-O shots, and a secret “speak easy” to a fabulous JAWS themed adventure. In the end, M/Y Freedom, presented by Yacht Connexion, won the coveted Herman Pundt Best Yacht Hop award for a second year in a row. Freedom has been on the Newport charter scene for many years, and the crew threw an all-out party with decorations, drinks, a photo booth, wine and tequila tasting, steel drum band, a floating raw bar and specialty gifts for each guest.

“We wanted to come back bigger and better than last time, so we’ve been planning for a year,” said Freedom’s Chief Stew Julie Emmons, adding that the band, raw bar and tastings were all locally sourced.

Clockwise from top left: Gatsby-inspired Yacht Hop party aboard M/Y Acta, JAWS-themed adventure aboard S/Y Andromeda, M/Y Lexington crew members take time to enjoy the Yacht Hop, captain and crew aboard Best Yacht Hop winner M/Y Freedom, guests enjoy raw bar and steel band aboard M/Y Freedom, guests gather on the docks during the Yacht Hop. Credit Michele Almeida/Miste Photography

About Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard:
Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard is one of the most popular and recommended shipyards in the United States. The full-service marina and shipyard has over 3,500 linear feet of dock space that can accommodate yachts longer than 300 feet. Its amenities include a dockside café, ship store, fitness center, and marina vehicles. Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard is host to many prestigious yachting events including Gosling’s Rum Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard Crew Party for the biennial Newport to Bermuda Race, Safe Harbor Race Weekend, Newport Yacht Rendezvous benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, and Newport Brokerage Boat show. For more information, visit: www.shmarinas.com/locations/safe-harbor-newport-shipyard

Information: www.NewportCharterShow.com or contact Veronica Brown, Show Director, Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, +1 401 846 6000, vbrown@shmarinas.com.

Click here for full event schedule.
Click here for full list of boats registered.
Click here for photos from 2025.

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