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Proudly presents:
a portal for the interior crew to share tabletop tips
and showcase their creativity and design
2026: fall magic & winter season
Spooky Settings, Charter tables, Signature Sips & Memorable Moments
The “BER” months are here—and it’s time for yacht crew to work their magic! From hauntingly beautiful Halloween tables to polished charter settings and festive celebrations, we’re showcasing the creative details that make every guest experience unforgettable. 🎃⚓🕯️✨
Email your masterpiece photos & tips to info@topnotchtabletop.com
M/Y Excellence Chief Stew Bintu Omagbemi
M/Y MAG III Chief steward Nico Van Der We
MY Rhino Chief Stew Jessica Labelle Rene
M/Y Excellence Chief Stew Bintu Omagbemi
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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
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TRICK OR TREAT
throw back to some of our favorites!
 M/Y Unbridledby Amber Briant |  M/Y GravitasBreakfast at Tifannys by Chief Stewardess Rita Glover, Lizelle Wessels & Camille Rivera |  M/Y HuntressDesigned by Chief Stewardess Gwen Hamp, Erika Lawrence, Kacee Wedderburn & Kirsty Bilson |
|---|---|---|
 M/Y Suriby Chief Stew Sandra Compain, Dei Dre Beeby & GabriellaKitching |  M/Y Sovereignby Chief stew Samantha Klepper, Raisa Gauci, & Brittany Schnare |  M/Y Mine Gamesby Chief stew Christine Drake, Stephanie Drake & Crystal Brierly |
 M/Y Gravitasby chief stew Rita Glover, Lizelle Wessels & Camille Rivera |  M/Y The Big Blueby Chief Stewardess Rebecca Kay |  M/Y Andiamoby Chief Stew Nadine Imfeld, Ana Sanchez & Lucia Turner |
 M/Y Excellenceby Chief Stew Bintu Omagbemi |  M/Y MAG IIIby Chief steward Nico Van Der We |  M/Y Sur La MerDesigned by Chief Stewardess Ella Scott, Bianca de Lange & Julissa Wilson |
 M/Y Lady Pegasus IIby Anick Chiche & Michelle Mayer |  M/Y My QingChief Stew Erin Wilks |  M/Y Double Downby Chief Stewardess Margaret Hill |
 M/Y Te Manuby Chief Stew Marie-Louise Ramsay, Natasha Pretorius, Aimie Keech & Carina Hundermark |  M/Y Spiritby Chief Stew Ashleigh Dugdale, Cayla Platt, Goody De Johghe & Kelly Spencer |  M/Y 4 RosesDesigned by Chief Stew Lizelle Marais |
 M/Y Nita Kby Chief Stew Varushca Degenaar, Carli Van Wyk & Charlotte Thiechart |  M/Y Sovereignby Chief stew Samantha Klepper, Nikola Cowie & Danielle Hadlington |  M/Y Carpe Diem IIby Chief stew Kirsty Van Wyk, Chelsea Gallagher & Nicole Edwardes |
 M/Y Lady Sheridanby Chief Stew Rebecca McGee |  M/Y I Love This Boatby Chief Stew Carly Benjamin & Katie Leetz |  M/Y Sotaventoby Chief Stew Mariel Correa Br |
 M/Y Sea Dreamsby Maryann Condy & Rosa Sabatino |  M/Y Ariosoby Chief Stew Brownyn Martin, Rhia Hebbs, Mackenzie Jedelbauer |  M/Y One & OnlyDesigned by Chief Stew Sarah Jackson |
 M/Y Excellence Vby Chief Stew Gwen Hamp , Georgia Adey, Charlotte Starnes, Madison Roberts & Madison Graham |  M/Y Amica MeaDesigned by Chief Stewardess Beth Pendrous & Gemma Walker |  M/Y Ariannaby Chief Stew Traci, Savannah & Georgia |
 M/Y One & OnlyDesigned by Chief Stew Sarah Jackson |  M/Y StardustDesigned & Photographed by Chief Stew Melissa Smith |  M/Y Charismaby Chief Stewardess Karine Lautry |
 M/Y Nita K IIby Chief Stew Sarah Pitchford & Carey Cawood |  M/Y Ocean Clubby Chief Stew CC Childers & Anna Endler |  M/Y Mine Gamesby Chief stew Christine Drake, Stephanie Drake & Crystal Brierly |
 M/Y Eternitydesigned by Chief Stewardess Kristen Courtis and Second Stewardess Aimee Boelchout, they presented a Malibu Beach Barbie theme. Complete with real size Barbie dolls & Malibu Beach Ken‼️Performance by Bosun Gareth Reece, Personal Trainer Natalie Zerbib, Spa Stewardess Jade Connoway, and Chief Stewardess Kristen Courtis. |  M/Y Aretiby Chief Stew Beth O'Hara, Iryna Petrova, Josie Piers & Steph Bidois |  M/Y Aretiby Chief Stew Beth O'Hara, Iryna Petrova, Josie Piers & Steph Bidois |
 M/Y Lady Janetby Chief Stewardess Amber Briant, Irma Malabanan, Melveen Malabanan |  M/Y Carpe Diem IIby Chief stew Kirsty Van Wyk, Chelsea Gallagher & Nicole Edwardes |  M/Y MAG IIIby Chief steward Nico Van Der Westhuizen, Chenelle Godfrey and Kerry Langschmidt |
 M/Y MAG IIIby Chief Stewardess Samara Rose |  M/Y Unbridledby Chief Stewardess Amber Briant - Master Table Setting Artist |  M/Y BWby Chief Stew Agnese Bosevica & Tracie Chandler |
 M/Y Double Downby Chief Stewardess Margaret Hil |  MY To-Kalonby Chief Stew Jessica Guinn |  M/Y Far Nienteby Chief Stew Bonnie Seguin |
 M/Y Black Goldby Paula Norwood |  M/Y Cheers 46by Chief Stew Nicolina Stojicic, Kimberly Laplanie & Jana Martinkova |  M/Y Mizuby Chief Stew Page Phillips |
 M/Y Galactica Super Novaby Chief Stewardess Mimi Sarancic |  M/Y Sovereignby Chief Stewardess Kate Burns, Ana Huertas & Tonia Bradford |  M/Y Te Manuby Chief Stew Marie-Louise Ramsay |
 M/Y Ocean Clubby Chief Stew CC Childers & A |  M/Y Lady Joyby Daniela Brehan & Shannon Jones |  MY Galactica Super Novaby Chief Stewardess Mimi Sarancic |
 M/Y Te Manuby Chief Stew Marie-Louise Ramsay, Natasha Pretorius, Aimie Keech & Carina Hundermark |  M/Y GraceDesigned & Photographed by Randi Barry |  M/Y Hospitalityby Chief Stew Madison MacLeo. First time we have live jellyfish on a centerpiece |
Thank you for sharing your skills!
Enjoy past Yacht Interior Tip videos:
BEST OVERALL DESIGN
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
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