UKSA unveils new collaboration with The Little Gloster

UKSA, the leading maritime education and training charity, is today announcing a new and exclusive collaboration with the team behind award-winning – The Little Gloster Restaurant and Rooms, a famed Isle of Wight bolthole 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 of the students that have signed up for the immersive twenty one day UKSA Superyacht course, who have developed their own in-depth coursework, going above and beyond the newly updated IAMI GUEST syllabus.  These new standards have been specially designed by industry experts, who have worked in the superyacht industry themselves, to meet the growing demand for well-trained professional crew onboard some of the world’s most luxurious yachts. 

Over their time with Ben and Holly, they will be introduced to the world of high end hospitality including Wine & Cocktail Appreciation (including 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 super yacht service philosophy developed by The Little Gloster for the course specifically, as well as other practical essentials to succeed with onboard employment. Students also receive qualifications including Food Safety, Fire Prevention and First Aid. 

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.”

Originally from the Isle of Wight, Ben completed some of his own Super Yacht Training at UKSA, undertaking the Competent Crew course before completing this powerboat licence and superyacht ticket, whilst in his twenties. Having worked in kitchens from a young age, Ben honed his skills with classical French and English chefs and went on to work with Michelin chefs from around the world including New Zealand and Sweden in various roles, including being a private chef in St Anton and Klosters. 

He worked aboard superyachts for five years, cooking for Middle Eastern royalty and an adventurous private owner who avoided the usual Mediterranean destinations, opting instead for explorations to the northwest passage, Galapagos and other unique destinations across the globe, before returning to the island to set up The Little Gloster Restaurant & Rooms in 2010, shortly before meeting Holly.

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 super yacht with the right attitude and skillset to succeed. “It’s not just about making a great cappuccino; it’s about making the perfect cappuccino.”

Many people come to UKSA armed with transferable skills which are advantageous to their new careers. At UKSA, an average of 80 percent of students secure a role within three months of completing their training.

For more information, or imagery please contact Chloe Buchanan at the MTM Agency, via: Chloe@themtmagency.com. 

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