Portfolio

The work, in six chapters.

Photographs taken in service — private residences, villa kitchens and yacht galleys between London, Provence and the Mediterranean.

Chapter I

Signature Fine Dining

Plates built on classical French foundations, finished with the restraint learned across Michelin-starred kitchens.

Lobster, Basil & Sauternes

Butter-poached lobster tail with basil purée, a filo crisp and pearls of sauternes jelly.

Chilled Tartare, Herb Velouté

A finely diced herb tartare ring-moulded over shaved radish, crowned with crème fraîche and dill, set in a chilled green velouté.

Sea Bass, Peas & Shoots

Thin slices of cured sea bass with garden peas, crisp shallot and borage.

Crab, Dill & Mooli

Dressed white crab bound with dill, pressed between discs of pickled mooli.

Brûléed Tart, Spiced Cream

Caramelised tart and spiced ice cream, served in sequence across the pass.

Chapter II

Mediterranean & Seasonal

Menus written each morning around what the market, the sea and the season have offered.

Cod, Peas & Cured Pork

Poached cod with garden peas, chive flowers and thin sheets of cured pork.

Foie Gras Terrine

House-made foie gras terrine served with seasonal accompaniments, balancing rich, buttery flavour with acidity, texture and refined presentation. A classic French preparation showcasing precision, restraint and elegant plating.

Pasta, Rolled by Hand

Egg dough rested overnight, then rolled and cut on the bench before lunch.

Stone Fruit Roulade

Meringue roulade with grilled pineapple, raspberries and late-summer stone fruit.

Chapter III

Asian Inspirations

Technique carried back from a year spent cooking in Asia — clarity, seasoning, and very little else.

Pad Kra Pao

Minced chicken fried hard with holy basil and chilli, a soft fried egg over rice.

Oysters, Wakame & Caviar

Rock oysters dressed with sesame and cucumber, set on wakame with a spoon of caviar.

Yuzu & Raspberry

A set yuzu cream under a lacquered raspberry glaze, finished with shiso.

Chapter IV

Bread & Viennoiserie

The morning bake — long-fermented doughs, laminated by hand before service begins.

Plaited Brioche

Enriched brioche plaited by hand and finished with pearl sugar, baked each morning.

Sesame Milk Buns

Soft milk dough proved twice, glazed and seeded, straight from the tray.

Morning Bake

Laminated dough turned three times, baked until the layers separate cleanly.

Battenberg

Almond sponge in two colours, brushed with apricot and wrapped in marzipan.

Chapter V

Pastry & Desserts

Classical pâtisserie held to the gram, balancing texture, acidity and sweetness.

Vanilla Cream, Poached Rhubarb

Vanilla-flecked cream with poached rhubarb, blood orange and caramelised hazelnut.

Raspberry & Sorbet

Set custard and sorbet in a raspberry coulis, with a cream-dressed crisp across the rim.

Rhubarb & Sablé

Set rhubarb on a spiced sablé base, with sorbet and a caramel glass tile.

Chocolate Mille-Feuille

Layers of chocolate cream between thin pastry, cocoa nibs and cold crème.

Passion Fruit Spiral

A piped passion fruit spiral with blackberries and lemon verbena.

Chocolate Entremet

A contemporary layered French entremet featuring multiple complementary textures and flavours, finished with a flawless chocolate glaze. Precision, balance and clean execution are at the heart of this classic pâtisserie discipline.

Pavlova, Berries & Mint

A small pavlova built to order — soft meringue, cream, summer berries.

Chapter VI

Yacht Lifestyle & Behind the Scenes

Charter service at sea: a single galley, a quiet team, and the same standard every evening.

On the Pass

Dessert plated in sequence along the galley pass, moments before service.

Choux au Craquelin

Crisp craquelin choux pastry filled with a light vanilla crème diplomate and finished with delicate garnishes. A refined interpretation of a classic French pâtisserie, focusing on texture, balance and technical execution.

Enquiries

Available for yachts, residences and estates.

chefnickthirkell@gmail.com