LIQUID SKY

Simon is a professional yacht captain and dive master with a great passion for working and living on the water. Born in England, his keenness for the outdoors started young with a thirst for adventure leading to many destinations around the world. Chef Maya Walsh Maya grew up primarily in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., but also lived between her parents’ home countries of Japan and Canada. A lifelong lover of water, she enjoyed body surfing on the beaches of California and sailing and canoeing on the lakes of Ontario.

Maya grew up primarily in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., but also lived between her parents' home countries of Japan and Canada. A lifelong lover of water, she enjoyed body surfing on the beaches of California and sailing and canoeing on the lakes of Ontario. After graduating from the University of Toronto, where she studied Japanese, Spanish, and biology, Maya realized she wanted to pursue a deeper involvement in the culinary world. Her food journey began with six months of WWOOF-ing in Spain and Portugal, followed by a move to Baltimore, where she immersed herself in the vibrant organic urban farming scene. During this time, she worked at an award-winning French bistro, bartended at a natural wine and sake bar, and roasted and served coffee. In 2020, she lived in Japan, where she interned at a Michelin two-star restaurant and worked in a traditional noodle shop. She is a graduate of the Ballymaloe Cookery School, located on an organic farm in Cork, Ireland, as well as the Ashburton Yacht Chef Academy. Having traveled to over 40 countries, her culinary expertise is broad and eclectic. Her passion for food goes beyond cooking; she is committed to sourcing high-quality, seasonal, and local ingredients, fostering strong relationships with producers. Maya particularly enjoys foraging, fermenting, sourdough baking, and pickling. And she loves breaking down and serving any fish or lobster she might catch off the boat! Maya has been working as a chef in the Virgin Islands for over 5 years now! But during recent off-seasons, she deepened her knowledge of ancient wine culture in the Republic of Georgia and worked the harvest at a low-intervention winery in Slovenia. She also spent time in Honduras, earning her PADI Rescue Diver certification. And she just returned from Thailand where she took cooking courses and learned to be a Padi dive instructor. Maya’s relentless pursuit of gastronomic knowledge, combined with her ability to cater to guests' dietary restrictions, preferences, and culinary aspirations, ensures a unique and memorable dining experience.