MAGIC MOMENTS

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. Being a Class V White Water Rafting Guide in New Zealand and riding his motorcycle from Canada to Argentina are just some of these experiences that have moulded him into a person who can thrive In a wide range of scenarios and environments. When it comes to yachting, his goal is to provide guests with an experience of a lifetime. He considers himself a very meticulous person with a keen interest in engineering and enjoy the problem solving that comes with being a captain. When he is not on the boat, he enjoys keeping fit and active, with surfing, kite surfing and mountain biking being three of his favourite hobbies.

In 2020, Maya moved to Japan to intern at a Michelin two-star restaurant and work in a traditional noodle shop. She is a graduate of Ireland’s renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School and the Ashburton Yacht Chef Academy. Having traveled to over 40 countries, her culinary expertise is broad and eclectic. Maya has been working as a yacht chef in the Virgin Islands for over five years now. She loves using the off-season to learn new skills—whether that’s staging at top restaurants back in the D.C. area, studying ancient wine roots in Georgia, working a low-intervention wine harvest in Slovenia, or taking cooking classes in Thailand, where she also certified as a PADI Dive Instructor. Deeply committed to sustainability, Maya thrives on sourcing high-quality, seasonal ingredients and forging strong relationships with local producers. She specializes in foraging, fermentation, sourdough baking, pickling, and preparing fresh catch straight off the boat. Maya’s relentless pursuit of gastronomic knowledge, combined with her ability to seamlessly tailor menus to guest preferences and dietary needs, ensures your group is always well looked after with great food and a memorable time around the table.