In mid-March 2020, I was in the middle of a yacht charter in my adopted home of the British Virgin Islands, where I’d spent the last 26 years, when a good friend in Sydney messaged me and asked me if I was returning to Australia. It was a question that I wasn’t expecting and I honestly wondered why he was asking it. I had an incredible life and career that revolved around the Caribbean, and travel. At that stage we were aware that COVID was around, but not fully aware of what was in store for us, so I had no plans to leave the BVI and was assuming that our yacht charter season would still continue as planned. But my friend had sowed a seed of doubt and convinced me to contact a local Australian consulate. The Barbados office told me to leave – and ASAP – but, still not convinced, I decided to check with the Consulate in Washington DC, and mentioned that my plan was to return to Australia in August for a vacation. When they said that I may not make it out or be allowed into Australia by then, I realised things were serious. My ticket was changed within two days to leave the next week. My flight was booked for the following Tuesday, but I was notified on the Sunday night that all borders – both sea and air – were closing immediately in the BVI. I panicked, but what could I do! At the last minute the BVI Government changed its mind, and allowed people to leave on the Monday only. I had to scramble to re book my flights, via Puerto Rico, North Carolina, Dallas, then LA, where flights were being cancelled along the way, before I finally made it to Brisbane. Although it wasn’t mandatory at the time, I opted to quarantine in a hotel so I didn’t pose a risk to anyone, and that gave me a lot of time to think about what on earth I was going to do next.
Pivot, pivot, pivot.
The most overused word of the pandemic – pivot – is exactly what I needed to do. It became obvious pretty quickly that my old life of cheffing aboard luxury yachts might be on hold for a while, so I had to look at how to transfer my skills to my new life back in Australia. As I had been creating cooking classes overseas for guests on board the yacht I was working on, I thought this could be a good segue to my new life in Brisbane. Why not create a similar style of cooking class, either in a commercial kitchen or – since everyone was so restricted in movements – live online? So that’s what I did. I set up a new business and decided my approach would be bespoke – I tailor make a menu to suit the tastes of each group, a menu that I then teach, either in the kitchen or via a live zoom link to anyone from anywhere around the world. As restrictions eased, I opened up in-person options for people in Brisbane, but my ability to teach internationally also remains.
But why stop there!
Since the pandemic brought my yachting career to a halt, I also started work on my first cookbook – something guests on board have been asking me for, for years, but that I’ve never had time to do. Fine Dining Made Easy, Galley Gourmet with Chef Lisa, is due to be released within the next month, and features 80 recipes perfected in the small area of a galley. Learning to adapt traditional recipes due to the space and time constraints of a yacht kitchen, my adaptations are perfect for busy home cooks keen to impress family and friends, but with limited space, equipment, and time!
And whilst all these new business avenues were great, I genuinely missed being out at sea. Not one to ever sit still, I also started to look for ways to at least get some element of my true passion back into my life. I knew that it wasn’t just me missing the experience of travel, so I started to look at ways to introduce day charters on harbours and waters around the country. I found a few very enthusiastic luxury yacht partners, and another new business was born! My Indulgence day yacht charters provide the options of personalised catering, cooking workshops, spa treatments, and live music, all aboard a luxury yacht – so you can feel like you’re on a fabulous overseas holiday, even if only for a day!
Where would you go right now, if you could go anywhere in the world, and what would you eat?
By Lisa Mead
About the author
Australian Chef Lisa Mead, has certainly had an illustrious career, cooking her way between Australia, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Over the past 26 years, Lisa has established herself as one of the finest chefs in the world, whilst cooking on board luxury yachts and in 5-star villas throughout the British Virgin Islands. During this time, Lisa has been called upon to cook for royalty, heads of states and celebrities including National Lampoon movie star, Chevy Chase; US impersonator Rich Little; Pete Townsend from the band ‘The Who’; and famous British celebrity Carol Vorderman – to name a few.
Not one to shy away from an opportunity, Lisa also has her very own cooking show aptly titled ‘Galley Gourmet with Chef Lisa.’ A fascinating look into her years spent cooking on yachts, Lisa also showcases the culinary delights of local chefs from around the British Virgin Islands. Now in its 8th season, the hit cooking show which originally aired across the Caribbean, can now be viewed in the US, Canada and South America.
Drawing on inspiration from her fascinating career spent sailing around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, Lisa’s cuisine is also influenced from her time spent living and cooking in South East Asia. During her time here, Lisa was able to gain valuable experience about the local cuisine and learnt the importance of using fresh ingredients, which now play an important role in the dishes she serves today. Lisa is also currently offering cooking workshops both online and in person for those in the Queensland region. Catering to groups of up to 15 people at one time, those who attend are able to learn to create internationally inspired cuisines with Lisa herself.
Lisa is a true inspiration to both local and international female chefs alike. Her culinary skills, expertise and ability to not shy away from pushing past career norms has allowed her to travel to beautiful destinations, whilst cooking for some of the most prestigious and influential people in the world.
Her first cookbook is due out soon, and her luxury day charters will launch in March.