Interior & Hospitality Commercial Professional Development Worldwide

Wine & Food and Beverage Training

Professional wine knowledge, table service and beverage skills for interior crew working aboard high-end superyachts. From wine confidence workshops to WSET Level 2 certification.

Duration 1 to 2 days (course dependent)
Awarding Body WSET / Provider Certificate
Validity No expiry (WSET awards are permanent)
Typical Cost £150 to £600

Course Overview

Wine and food and beverage training for yacht crew covers the practical service skills and product knowledge that interior crew need to deliver a five-star guest experience aboard superyachts. These are commercial professional development courses rather than regulatory requirements; no single governing body such as the MCA or Flag State mandates them, but they are widely expected by chief stewards, stewardesses and captains hiring for interior positions on larger vessels.

The most common formats are a one-day wine confidence workshop aimed at crew who are new to service, and WSET Level 2 Award in Wines, a two-day externally certificated programme awarded by the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. WSET is an internationally recognised independent awarding body and its qualifications are accepted as a mark of genuine wine knowledge by employers across the industry. Advanced options include mixology and cocktail training, silver service technique and formal table service, and broader food and beverage management modules.

Some providers offer these as standalone short courses; others include them as modules within a wider interior or crew entry package. There are no formal prerequisites for entry-level courses, making them accessible to anyone joining the superyacht industry regardless of background. Costs range from around £150 for a one-day workshop to £600 for a full WSET Level 2 programme including the examination fee.

Prerequisites

  • No formal prerequisites for entry-level wine and beverage workshops
  • WSET Level 2 has no mandatory prior qualification requirement
  • Basic English language ability is recommended for WSET examination courses
  • Some providers recommend completing STCW Basic Safety Training before attending interior-focused courses

What You Will Learn

  • Key wine regions, grape varieties and styles to confidently advise guests
  • How to read a wine list and recommend food and wine pairings
  • Correct table-side wine service including temperature, decanting and glassware
  • Spirits, cocktails and mixology for yacht service contexts
  • Silver service and formal table service technique
  • Beverage stock management and cellar organisation aboard
  • Handling dietary requirements and allergen awareness at table

Career Progression

Wine and F&B training sits within the interior career pathway and is taken by crew at all levels, from first-season deckhands moving into interior roles to experienced chief stewardesses adding a formal qualification. It consistently appears on CV checklists for junior and mid-level interior positions on yachts 40 metres and above.

Before
STCW Basic Safety Training
The mandatory safety foundation required before joining any commercial yacht. Covers fire prevention, personal survival, first aid and social responsibility.
This course
Wine & Food and Beverage Training
Builds the practical beverage knowledge and service skills expected of interior crew on high-end vessels. WSET Level 2 provides a permanent, internationally recognised award.
Next step
WSET Level 3 / Advanced Interior Courses
WSET Level 3 Award in Wines is the next progression for crew seeking a Chief Steward or Purser role. Advanced hospitality management and silver service instructor courses are also available.
Roles this qualification opens up: Steward / Stewardess, Senior Stewardess, Chief Stewardess, Purser, Hospitality Manager. Wine and F&B certificates are regularly listed as preferred credentials on interior crew job postings for motor yachts above 40 metres.

Key Facts

Format
Classroom
Duration
1 to 2 days
Awarding Body
WSET or Provider
Validity
No expiry
Prerequisites
None required
Typical Cost
£150 to £600
Certificate Type
Professional development
Regulatory Body
None (commercial)
No renewal required. WSET awards are permanent qualifications with no expiry date or revalidation requirement. Provider-issued certificates for workshop-format courses similarly carry no renewal obligation. Crew who wish to progress should consider WSET Level 3, which requires a pass at Level 2 or evidence of equivalent knowledge prior to enrolment on most programmes.

Schools Offering This Course

Searegs Training
Southampton, United Kingdom
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Crew Pacific Superyacht Training
Sydney, Australia
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New Zealand Superyacht Academy
Auckland, New Zealand
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Genoa Superyacht Hub
Genoa, Italy
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Oceanwave Monaco
Monaco
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Super Yachting South Africa Sysa
Cape Town, South Africa
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Ocean Star Sailing Academy
Cape Town, South Africa
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Barcelona Crew Academy
Barcelona, Spain
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Xone Superyacht Academy Malta
Valletta, Malta
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View all locations in the directory →
Important: Course dates, availability and prices shown on this page are indicative only and were gathered from providers' public websites. Always confirm current dates, availability and pricing directly with the training provider before making any booking or payment. All bookings are made directly with the provider — YachtSync is not a party to any booking and accepts no responsibility for date changes, cancellations, pricing errors or any other changes made by providers.