Superyacht training scheme partners with award-winning IoW restaurant

UKSA, the maritime education and training charity, has announced a new collaboration with the team behind Isle of Wight restaurant and hotel The Little Gloster, run by Ben and Holly Cooke.

As a result of the new partnership, UKSA has launched two new facilities in its training centre – a fully equipped cabin/dining room alongside the superyacht galley and laundry room – giving students a comprehensive superyacht simulation experience.

The collaboration will see Ben and Holly run the SY interior training as part of the immersive 21-day UKSA superyacht course for students.

Chris Frisby, director of training and operations at UKSA, comments: “The new collaboration with Ben and Holly further enhances our course and gives students a unique and rounded learning experience from experienced hospitality experts. The world’s most luxurious superyachts require the very best crew, and we believe this new collaboration will give our students the edge.”

The Superyacht Hospitality course is a unique programme designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to work as a steward/stewardess in the superyacht sector.

Originally from the Isle of Wight, Ben completed some of his own superyacht training at UKSA and has worked with Michelin chefs from around the world including New Zealand and Sweden. He worked aboard superyachts for five years cooking for Middle Eastern royalty before returning to the island to set up The Little Gloster Restaurant & Rooms in 2010, shortly before meeting Holly.

During the course, students will be introduced to the world of high-end hospitality including wine & cocktail appreciation (with practical and theory-based learning), laundry and housekeeping skills, event planning, service skills (including silver service), floristry, and The Little Gloster’s Super Yacht 101 – a superyacht service philosophy developed specifically for the course. Students also receive qualifications in food safety, fire prevention, and first aid.

Holly comments: “We are absolutely delighted to begin a new collaboration with UKSA and impart our knowledge of the luxury hospitality sector to students. Crew will be expected to deliver exceptional levels of service and focus on the finer details, setting themselves apart from the competition. Our aim is for students to leave the course, brimming with confidence and the skills to step aboard their first superyacht with the right attitude and skillset to succeed.

“It’s not just about making a great cappuccino; it’s about making the perfect cappuccino.”