ABOUT
Hi my name is John McGrath and I’m The Chef for Sail. I am a well-traveled chef, author and vagabond. My endeavor for this website is twofold; firstly to promote my up and coming universal travel culinary memoirs so they quickly become best sellers; Chef for Sail and Chef Two Sail
See Book Synopsis and my website illustrates my eight year journey for you visually.
Secondly I want to excite, entertain and humor you by reading my luxury travel blog also titled Chef for Sail, sharing with you my far-flung travel experiences and culinary inspirations while exploring the globe, discovering new cultures and cuisines.
After spending 18 months at home in New Zealand, including nine months in bed recovering from a near fatal ski accident in the Bosnian Alps, I knew that I wanted nothing more than to continue my yearning to travel, cook and write.
My wide-ranging and chequered career began when I first studied hotel management when working at the spectacularly scenic Lake Ohau Lodge and Ski Field. I then moved into Retail Management then Finance which led to seven years working in Merchant Banking. During this time I started travelling thru New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia and the USA.
Very much the entrepreneur, I also owned an English-style equestrian centre and horse riding school, an outdoor sport, snow-ski, surf and dive shop and an event management company specialising in sporting and gastronomic events. This culinary passion led me to open my first restaurant and nightclub in Sydney, Australia where I lived for four years. On moving back to New Zealand, I owned or co-owned another ten restaurants. This out of the blue evolved me into becoming a chef in the world of high-class luxury yachting, and chef positions in exclusive private residences, high-end chalets and villas. I have worked on seven revered luxury motor and sail yachts, including being Head Chef on the legendary 75m sailing yacht, Phocea. I have spent ski seasons cooking in Chamonix France, St Moritz Switzerland and Aspen Colorado.
My extensive media talents include hosting my own Food and Wine television show for two years. I had my own radio show for 15 years, working as a film critic, regularly visiting the Cannes Film Festival, amongst others. I spent seven years as a wine writer for various magazines and newspapers as well as a freelance lifestyle writer. I am a well-established master of ceremonies and a highly entertaining public speaker.
I have written two full-length screenplays (New Zealand Love Story and Recipe for Death) and self -published three books, one on 100 years of movies (Watch This Movie), The Cannes Film Festival (Cannes Confidential); and a ski season in Chamonix in The French Alps (It’s All Part of the Alpine Experience) As a passionate traveler, I have visited close to 80 countries, lived in 20 and are a self-confessed history geek. My current books Chef for Sail and Chef Two Sail I sail over 85,000 nautical miles travelling to over 50 countries writing behind the scenes while cooking for the mega rich and famous.
Email: johnny@chefforsail.com
