Elementor #8565

Cuisine a Key Theme @ 2025 USVI Charter Yacht Show Set, November 7-10, IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas –

The Market & Moe’s Fresh Market Official Food Sponsors

Photo: Professional chefs judge the Culinary Competition at the 2024 USVI Charter Yacht Show. Credit: Mango Media

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Some 81% percent of vacationers say trying local foods and cuisines is the part of travel they look forward to the most, according to American Express Travel’s 2023 Global Travel Trends Report. Cuisine is a key theme at the 2025 USVI Charter Yacht Show, set for November 7-10 at IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande. Chefs aboard the all-inclusive boutique-style charter yachts on display will put their best forkfuls forward during Broker Luncheons and in the annual Culinary Competition. USVI Celebrity Chef and Olympic Boxer, Julius Jackson, will host this contest on Saturday, November 8, with the theme, ‘Culinary Nostalgia: A Taste of Memories.’ Show organizers, the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA), announce that U.S. Virgin Islands’ grocers, The Market St. Thomas, located at the Tutu Park Mall, and Moe’s Fresh Market, with four locations: Red Hook, Yacht Haven Grande, Charlotte Amalie Waterfront, and the Northside, are the event’s official food sponsors.

“Food and beverages are at the heart of a successful crewed yacht charter and are often the reason guests return year after year,” says Jeni Osborn, yacht broker with Oceans by Moving Mountains, in Steamboat Springs, CO, who attends the Show to experience the yachts firsthand, meet the crews, and see their hospitality in action to match clients with the perfect charter vessel. “In the Virgin Islands, I have watched a chef’s locally inspired menu transform a simple lunch into an unforgettable celebration. Freshly caught seafood, vibrant island produce, and artfully prepared cocktails create a sense of place that lingers long after guests return home.”

Yachts that register (usviyachtshow.org/register/) by August 31, 2025, receive a 10% Early Bird discount. IGY Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas offers a discounted berthing rate of $1.85 per foot per day from November 3 to 14 for yachts that register and pay in full for the Show by August 31, 2025. The rate is $2.15 per foot per day after this date.

Brokers can also register at usviyachtshow.org/register/. Registration is free for VIPCA member brokers. See website for accommodation discounts.

Culinary Nostalgia: A Taste of Memories is the 2025 Culinary Competition Theme

The Culinary Competition brings a competitive and bonding flair to each Show, says Chef Jackson. “Not just the chefs are challenged, but also the crew. In addition, it gives them a chance to show the brokers what they can do. All around fun and effective.”

The ‘Culinary Nostalgia: A Taste of Memories’ invites chefs to embark on a journey through time, drawing inspiration from their childhood, cultural heritage, or significant moments from the past to recreate dishes that evoke a sense of nostalgia. The challenge will be to blend comforting, traditional flavors with modern culinary techniques, creating two courses that tell a story and bring a piece of the past to life. Judging is based on execution, appearance, taste, creativity, and color. Exhibiting yacht chefs can register at usviyachtshow.org/culinary-competition/  

Photo: Moe’s Fresh Markets sells prized certified black angus beef, with butchers in-house to cut to order. Courtesy: Moe’s Fresh Market

Sponsor Spotlight – The Market & Moe’s Fresh Market

Charter chefs can find on St. Thomas all the fresh, high-quality ingredients they need to provision for the average twenty-plus weeks of charter per season.

“Premium provisioning is the foundation of five-star service at sea,” says Willie Hamed, vice president of Demah, Inc., dba Moe’s Fresh Markets. “We offer four convenient locations across the U.S. Virgin Islands and our premium online provisioning service, where we deliver the freshest ingredients right to your dock. We specialize in working hand-in-hand with yacht chefs and crew, tailoring orders to exact menu needs and tight schedules.”

Ingredients available span from staples to prized certified black angus beef steaks hand-selected to pair perfectly with an array of fine wines, delicate fresh seafood, and artisanal cheeses. New, Moe’s Fresh Markets has introduced just-made, high-quality sushi, prepared with premium ingredients. The retailer can also fly in rare and exclusive products, including top-grade caviar.

Photo: Entre4 will be on display at the 2025 USVI Charter Yacht Show. Courtesy Pyper Yachts.

Sneak Peek @ Yachts on Show

Over 60 power and sail, multihulls and monohulls are expected to show, including the 2024-built, 80-foot Sunreef catamaran, Entre4.

“The USVI Charter Yacht Show is a cornerstone event for connecting with brokers. For Entre4, it’s a chance to present our crew’s passion and the vessel’s immersive luxury experience firsthand,” says Heinrych Pyper, CEO of Pyper Yachts, who will serve as captain with Majori Fourie as Chef for the Show. Four en-suite cabins for up to 8 guests, an expansive flybridge with panoramic views, a full suite of water toys, and gourmet dining spaces perfect for starlit meals are a few of Entre4’s signature features. “Culinary excellence is central to the Entre4 experience. From beach bonfire dinners to curated tasting menus, food is a celebration onboard.”

Strong Sponsor Support

Sponsors of the 2025 USVI Charter Yacht Show include the USVI Department of Tourism; Yacht Haven Grande St. Thomas; IGY Marinas; Mango Media LLC; Risk Strategies, Cigna, Cardow Jewelers; Moe’s Fresh Market; The Market St. Thomas; Maho Crew; Julius Jackson, LLC; and the Charter Yacht Broker Association (CYBA).

For more information about the USVI Charter Yacht Show, visit usviyachtshow.org. For details about VIPCA and its programs, visit www.VIPCA.org, Email: info@vipca.org, or call (340) 642-0656.

About VIPCA

The Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, supporting, and protecting the charter yacht industry in the U.S. Virgin Islands. VIPCA advocates for the sustainable growth of the sector, working closely with local businesses, the government, and the community to ensure a thriving maritime economy.

Media Contact:

Carol Bareuther

Press, USVI Charter Yacht Show

Tel: 340-998-3650

Email: bareuther@earthlink.net

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