Katie Ficke
Boynton Beach,FL
Summary
Private Chef with 10+ years of experience in luxury yachting, private households, charter programs, and UHNW service. Skilled in creating refined, health-conscious, and personalized menus for families, principals, guests, and crew while maintaining a calm, organized, and discreet presence in fast-paced private environments. Now seeking a land-based private chef position where I can bring my background in high-level service, menu planning, provisioning, dietary accommodations, polished presentation, and intuitive guest care to a private family or estate setting.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Rotational Head Chef
149' Motor Yacht Norma Jean
03.2024 - Current
- Led culinary operations for busy private and charter program, preparing daily meals for guests and crew while ensuring high standards of timing, presentation, organization, and consistency.
- Planned menus based on owner preferences, charter guest needs, dietary restrictions, itinerary changes, and provisioning availability to enhance guest experience.
- Managed galley systems, inventory, cleaning standards, prep schedules, and service execution to maintain seamless operations in fast-paced luxury environment.
- Translate high-end yacht standards into a service style well suited for private homes, estates, and UHNW households.
Seasonal Charter Chef
140' Motor Yacht Fortitude
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Executed multiple successful charters for up to 12 guests and 8 crew, ensuring exceptional dining experiences.
- Coordinated guest preference sheets, menu planning, provisioning, crew meals, and daily meal service, enhancing guest satisfaction.
- Developed flexible menus for entertaining, family-style meals, and special requests, catering to diverse guest preferences.
- Invited back as resident freelance chef for the program following strong satisfaction from guests and crew.
Sole Chef
2120' Delta
08.2022 - 02.2023
- Planned and executed daily menus, managed provisioning, prep, service, and organized galley independently, enhancing operational flow.
- Adapted meals to guest preferences, dietary needs, weather, itinerary, and product availability, ensuring satisfaction and dietary compliance.
- Sole chef cooking for up to 8 guests and 6 crew during winter season in the Bahamas, ensuring high-quality dining experience.
Seasonal Sous Chef
189' Feadship - M/Y W
12.2021 - 07.2022
- Assisted head chef during charters and boss trips, ensuring high-quality meals for guests in luxury program.
- Supported the head chef during charters and boss trips aboard a high-standard luxury program.
- Executed prep, plating, and provisioning tasks to maintain kitchen efficiency.
- Developed skills in team-based kitchen service, enhancing presentation and meeting luxury guest expectations.
Sole Chef
185' Damen - M/V Shadow
08.2020 - 11.2021
- Sole chef aboard a 55-meter support vessel connected to a 70-meter motor yacht.
- Managed all culinary operations independently, including menu planning, provisioning, guest meals, crew meals, storage systems, and galley standards.
- Acted as primary chef for family and guests during construction of new mothership, ensuring culinary needs were met.
- Prepared meals for up to 17 individuals, accommodating overflow guests, crew, and additional personnel.
- Gained experience in balancing family-style meals, staff meals, and guest entertainment while adapting to daily changing needs.
Sole Chef / Crew Chef
150' Feadship - M/Y Daybreak
09.2018 - 07.2020
- Managed daily menu planning, provisioning, crew nutrition, prep, service, and galley organization.
- Prepared meals for up to 8 guests on various chase boat trips, ensuring high-quality dining experiences.
- Prepared daily meals for 9 crew aboard Daybreak, enhancing crew satisfaction during guest-facing trips on chase boat Maverick.
- Established consistency, cleanliness, and timing in cooking, fostering team morale in live-in settings.
Private Villa Chef
Private Villa - Barbados
05.2017 - 05.2018
- Prepared daily family and guest meals, creating tailored menus that catered to diverse preferences in a private estate.
- Managed culinary needs discreetly and consistently, demonstrating strong understanding of private household dynamics and expectations.
- Coordinated household and interior staff operations to enhance service flow and maintain organized kitchen aligned with family preferences.
- Oversaw meal preparation as the sole chef for a private family in Barbados, ensuring high culinary standards.
Sole Chef
100' Catamaran Mashua Bluu
10.2016 - 05.2017
- Sole chef for a private family program based in the Mediterranean.
- Crafted personalized meals for family and guests, adapting to travel and provisioning needs.
- Prepared meals aboard family's 65' Oyster during trips, ensuring high-quality dining experiences.
- Collaborated with 5 crew to ensure seamless service for up to 10 guests.
Interior / Hospitality
Over Yonder Cay Private Island
01.2014
Education
Culinary Trained -
Votech Academy
VirginiaSkills
- Culinary operations
- Menu planning
- Seasonal menu design
- Food safety regulations
- Dietary compliance
- Inventory management
- Culinary creativity
- Artistic plating
- Gourmet plating
- Guest satisfaction
- Team collaboration
- Food safety
Certification
- Culinary Trained - Votech Academy, Virginia
- Gold Key Professional Hospitality Certified
- Level 2 Food Hygiene and Safety
- STCW 95
- ENG1
References
References available upon request. Additional yacht and private-program references include captains, chefs, and senior crew from M/Y Fortitude, M/Y W, M/V Shadow, M/Y Daybreak, and related programs.
Culinary Style
Versatile, fresh, and guest-focused. Comfortable preparing clean, health-forward meals as well as elegant entertaining menus, seafood, Mediterranean spreads, Caribbean-inspired dishes, composed salads, bowls, grilled proteins, soups, risottos, brunches, desserts, comfort food, and polished family-style service. I enjoy creating food that feels thoughtful, beautiful, satisfying, and appropriate for the occasion.
Timeline
Rotational Head Chef
149' Motor Yacht Norma Jean
03.2024 - Current
Seasonal Charter Chef
140' Motor Yacht Fortitude
05.2023 - 08.2023
Sole Chef
2120' Delta
08.2022 - 02.2023
Seasonal Sous Chef
189' Feadship - M/Y W
12.2021 - 07.2022
Sole Chef
185' Damen - M/V Shadow
08.2020 - 11.2021
Sole Chef / Crew Chef
150' Feadship - M/Y Daybreak
09.2018 - 07.2020
Private Villa Chef
Private Villa - Barbados
05.2017 - 05.2018
Sole Chef
100' Catamaran Mashua Bluu
10.2016 - 05.2017
Interior / Hospitality
Over Yonder Cay Private Island
01.2014
Culinary Trained -
Votech Academy