RIPPLE

NEW CREW for the 2022/23 season
Mark Russel
Nicole Davies
Nell Du Toit

****Nicole and Nell will do a 2 month on/off rotation


Nicole: November/December, March/April, July/August
Nell: January/February, May/June


MARK
Born in Japan, growing up in England with American parents, Mark has always been a voyager. Having started sailing at a young age, he completed his RYA day skipper course at the ripe age of 13 years old on a 32’ sloop sailing the French and English coasts. His passion for all things nautical led him to a degree in Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at the University of Plymouth where he completed his Yacht Master course and worked locally as a dive guide and RIB pilot. Soon wishing to explore further afield, Mark embarked on a career as a professional dive guide and instructor working all over the world and clocking up thousands of dives culminating in a 4.5hr dive to 260’ on a rebreather to explore a war wreck in Vanuatu. This was while working on his first luxury motor yacht. He then stayed in this sector on and off for the next 17 years earning MCA Master 3000 and Y4 engineer licenses. One notable break from luxury yachts was his time spent with the race vessel ‘Earthrace’. The team circumnavigated the globe in 60 days in a 78’ motor yacht with 4 crew and still hold the World Record to this day! Mark loves exploring the Virgin Islands and all the fun, culture and nature it has to offer.


After circumnavigating the globe on a catamaran of her own, Jaime decided not to return home to Canada, but to turn her love of the water into a career. She attended a well-respected Culinary School in the heart of Vancouver; a famous foodie destination with a massive range of world cuisines and creative influence. With Diploma in hand, this allowed her to continue her travels and adventures aboard yachts, with the focus on hospitality and fine cuisine. Her guests have always appreciated her eye for beautifully plated food, and her creative & delicious flavor profiles. Not to mention her ever-present and understandably huge smile.


NICOLE
Nicole grew up amongst some of the most beautiful and remote Islands off Queensland, Australia and feels
most at home on the water.

Her passion for all things culinary started early, being involved in the family Seafood business as well as having
a firm garden to table mentality around seasonal produce to create healthy delicious meals.

She is a natural entertainer and loves nothing more than creating memorable culinary experiences using her
skills and knowledge acquired by over 20 yrs of extensive travelling.
She enjoys cooking Asian inspired dishes as well as fresh Mediterranean style meals, having spent much time in these locations mastering local cuisine.
Starting her Yacht Chef career in 2018 in the beautiful waters of the BVI with over 70 charters of delicious
meals enjoyed, your culinary adventure is in capable hands.

NELL
Nell spent her younger years in both Africa and Asia influencing her creativity and love for fusion inspired food from a young age.
She began working on yachts 14 years ago, initially working as a stewardess/cook and after a couple of years working with amazing head chefs, in both the Mediterranean and Caribbean, she decided to further her career in the industry.

She earned her RYA day skipper license in the Virgin Islands, completed 4 Atlantic crossings, and attended a culinary arts program in Buenos Aires where she learned classic and traditional techniques. It was the class on gluten free cooking that triggered her fascination with nutrition, and she continued to study with the well-known Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York which deepened her knowledge of various dietary requirements.

After graduating from high school, she attended art school in South Africa and has worked as a yoga, reiki and free dive instructor, she is a breathwork coach, underwater videographer and divemaster. Her curiosity and adventurous spirit have led her to almost 80 countries, but it is in the galley where she feels at home.

It is her love, not only for the water and wellness, culture and cuisine, but the deep passion she has for taking care of others that makes her shine as a yacht chef.

As a culinary artist she guides her guests through a journey of authentic international flavors, finding pride in presentation and sourcing locally fresh ingredients.
Her food is a true reflection of her extensive travels but, most importantly of the love she has for what she does.

When she is not onboard Ripple she is continuing her education as an acupuncturist, leading wellness retreats and creating her dream house and garden on the Pacific coast of Panama.