Private Chef Matt Crawford

With more than 15 years of culinary and hospitality experience, I bring a unique blend of Michelin-level training, creative menu design, and luxury guest service to private yachts and high-end homes. My career spans the yachting, restaurant, and liveaboard dive industries, where I’ve served as Captain, Head Chef, Sous Chef, and Lead Dive Instructor throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Pacific, and Asia.

I’m known for delivering exceptional, personalized dining experiences tailored to each guest’s preferences and dietary needs. My culinary work and approach to guest service have been featured in multiple global yachting and scuba-diving magazines.

My cooking philosophy is rooted in seasonality, freshness, and creativity. I always begin by talking with guests about what they love, then visit local farmers’ markets, grocers, and specialty shops to source the best ingredients available. From there, I design handcrafted menus based on what’s most vibrant, flavorful, and inspiring.

I bring professionalism, a positive attitude, and a genuine passion for service to every vessel or household I join. Whether it’s an intimate tasting menu, a themed dinner, elevated comfort food, or fresh, health-focused dishes, my goal is simple: to create an unforgettable culinary experience for you and your guests.

For me, cooking is...

For me, cooking is creating moments/memories. It's transforming incredible ingredients into an experience that brings people together & tells a story

I learned to cook at...

I learned to cook at a very young age in my family’s kitchen, and later refined my skills through professional training, global travel, and yachting.

A cooking secret...

My secret in the kitchen is staying adaptable/calm, and listening. When I know what guests love, I create dishes that feel personal and unforgettable.