#023 - Duncan Biggs - Grit, Galley & The Globe

Guest: Duncan Biggs, Yacht Chef, Founder of Ocean Wave Monaco & Maritime Culinary Trainer

Host: Phil Street

In this episode, Phil dives into a world Chefs on the Pass hasn’t explored before, the high-pressure, high-reward life of a yacht chef.

Joining the show is Duncan Biggs, a chef with over 30 years’ experience in the yachting industry, who has cooked for billionaires, travelled the globe, and now trains the next generation of chefs entering the maritime world.

From the Bahamas to Antarctica, Duncan shares what it really takes to cook at sea, where planning is everything, produce is world-class, and your “kitchen” could be anywhere on the planet.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Duncan’s journey from cooking with his mum to joining the Royal Navy.
• How a chance opportunity led him into the world of superyachts.
• The reality of life on board, from 30m family-style boats to 160m floating cities.
• The importance of preparation when your nearest supplier might be thousands of miles away.
• Cooking for billionaires, celebrities, and high-profile guests.
• Why feeding crew is just as important as feeding guests.
• The camaraderie and lifestyle that keeps chefs in yachting for decades.
• How the industry has evolved with bigger yachts and more adventurous global routes.

Listen now for:

• Why planning and logistics are everything when cooking at sea.
• The balance between fine dining and simple comfort food on board.
• What it’s really like cooking for high-profile guests (including a few familiar names 👀).
• Why the yacht kitchen is “like Hogwarts”, where the magic just has to happen.

Memorable Quotes:

• “You get the best produce and get paid well — it’s a great industry” – Duncan Biggs
• “When it clicks, it’s one of the best teams you’ll ever be part of” – Duncan Biggs
• “Sometimes the best meal is just something simple done really well” – Duncan Biggs

This episode is for:

• Chefs curious about alternative career paths beyond restaurants.
• Hospitality professionals with a love of travel and adventure.
• Young chefs considering yachting as a career move.
• Anyone fascinated by life behind the scenes on superyachts.

Links & Resources:

• Phil Street (Host): LinkedIn & Instagram @hospitalitymeets
• Duncan Biggs: LinkedIn
• Ocean Wave Monaco

Want More?

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