Lunch aboard Sailing Yacht Eleonora

I was lucky enough to be invited to lunch aboard the beautiful 49.5m sailing yacht Eleonora during the Genoa Charter Show.  She is an exact replica of the 1910 schooner Westward.  Built at the Van der Graaf shipyard in Holland, she was launched in March 2000.

What a gorgeous yacht, it would be impossible to find anyone not ready to praise her beauty and old world charm after a visit.

Chef Piero Minicucci describes lunch

I arrived early enough to be treated to a tour first on deck and then below to see Eleonora’s traditional interior, following N.G. Herreshoff’s plans.  Fully panelled in mahogany she can sleep eight guests in three spacious double cabins and one twin cabin.

Lunch was below in the dinning room as sadly the weather was inclement.  Our host was Eleonora’s Captain David Martirano and we were looked after in style by the rest of the friendly helpful crew. 

Strawberry, avocado and prawn salad

Cassata and ricotta mouse with a pistachio sponge and chocolate chips

Chef Piero Minicucci produced a four course lunch that was both light enough for a midday repast and adventurous enough to show case his talents. The food was matched by superb wines supplied by No. 12 Fine Wines & Provisions

What made the lunch stand out was the enthusiasm of our Italian chef who came out of his galley before every course to describe the dish we were about to enjoy.

To charter Eleonora and enjoy Chef Piero’s fine cuisine yourself contact YPI.  She is available this summer from €65,000 per week