Proudly presents:
a portal for the interior crew to share tabletop tips
and showcase their creativity and design


by Amber Briant

by Chief stew Jocelyn Piccinetti

PBBS 2026: SPRING into style
THE KIND OF TABLE WHERE CREATIVITY TAKES THE LEAD

Top Notch Tabletop is not about having the most elaborate inventory onboard, but about what you create with what you have. It is a celebration of creativity, effort, and the special touch crew bring to onboard hospitality. If you have heart, vision, and a love for beautiful service, you already belong here — and Palm Beach Boat Show 2026 is the perfect place to share it.
.png)

by Beth O'Hara, Iryna Petrova, Josie Piers & Steph Bidois

by Beth O'Hara, Iryna Petrova, Josie Piers & Steph Bidois

Chief Stew Kirsty Bouch. M/Y Luna

by Beth O'Hara, Iryna Petrova, Josie Piers & Steph Bidois
.png)


_edited.jpg)
Q&A with
Top Notch Tabletop Judge
Alene Keenan
Beyond the Table:
Alene Keenan on Wine, Wisdom & What Matters Most
Few names in yachting embody service excellence, humor, and heart quite like Alene Keenan — affectionately known as The Yacht Guru.
Alene Keenan has built a career on transforming service into art. A founding judge of Top Notch Tabletop, she captures what the competition is truly about:
"Seeing stews express themselves through design and detail — and realizing they’re part of something bigger — that’s what makes Top Notch Tabletop so special.”
And when it comes to advice that lasts well beyond the deck?
"Honor what you’ve learned. Every guest interaction, every detail you’ve mastered — it all matters. There’s always a place where your passion and your skill meet. That’s where the magic happens."
Want to bring Alene’s sparkle to your next event, team training, or tasting? She’d love to hear from you
_edited.jpg)
EASTER FAVORITES

Within a few steps from the passarelle, we found ourselves in a page of the book of Alice in Wonderland. In charge of setting up the stage to this majestic, awe-inspiring top notch tabletop was Amber Briant. Her depiction of this classic, encompassed the most unique, detail oriented layout of perfectly crafted designs, bringing to life characters only in your imagination. The foundation: an elegant white tablecloth and custom grass runner. Tea pots and tea cups, gold clocks, salt & pepper shakers in the shape of mini gold mushrooms, vintage tulip candle holders, blooming white & pink rose buds and the cutest bunny hoping frontstage, are some of the accents surrounding white & gold china layered over a wood plank, for that contrast of spark and forest woods.
All while mixing & matching different scales and incorporating service accents such as a flower ice bucket, with shots disguised as magical potions.
Take the time to read the menu, every course has it's own pairing, meticulously printed over a vintage character watermark; it really is all about the small details. Chef Micail Swindell's main course, Magic Mushrooms, was described as: Steamed Turbot and Fresh Truffle variations served with Forest Mushrooms, Edible Soil and Seasonal Herbs and Flowers. Can you picture it?
Sitting under a magnificent vine, with dangling passages of the book, small notes written in bubbles that seem to float from above, the guests are invited to a magical evening onboard M/Y Unbridled. FLIBS 2015.
All amazing tabletops and creative tips:
Thank you for sharing your skills!
Enjoy past Yacht Interior Tip videos:

Yachting: Tip of the Day
Produced and edited by Suki Finnerty of YachtingToday.TV
19 Sponsors, 7 judges and 34 Stewards within 14 yachts were part of the most magical and luxurious interior-crew talent showcase of tablescapes at FLIBS 2019.
Chief stews and juniors shared with us cool tips and tricks of the trade.
Get inspired for this upcoming charter season. Check it out!
Top Notch Tip of the Day Video at FLIBS 2018:
Video by YachtingToday.tv
featuring Top Notch Tabletop 2017 @FLIBS
Video by YachtingToday.tv
featuring Top Notch Tabletop 2016 @Palm Beach Boat Show:
Check out this great clip by YachtingToday.tv showcasing
Top Notch Tabletop Challenge 2015 @Palm Beach Boatshow,
where the creativity and elegance in design were tastefully executed.
THROWBACK FLIBS 2017
Check out the
Top Notch Tabletops at the
Fort Lauderdale Boat Show














