BELLE VIE

Captain Stella Sotomayor

Stella is British and Spanish but was born and raised in The Netherlands.

Growing up learning to sail on Lasers in Scotland, everything about the ocean always excited her. From lifeguarding, swim coaching, surfing, sailing, scuba diving, underwater videography and photography, her life and passions have always circulated around the sea.

During her time at university in England, where she directed and edited short films, (some of which have been recognized in International film festivals), she spent her long summers working on sailing yachts. After having various roles in the yachting industry, she obtained her Yachtmaster Offshore Sail 200T license in Gibraltar and has worked on charters in Croatia, Greece, the Amalfi coast and Balearic Islands before moving to the BVI.

CERTIFICATES
• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Sail 200GT Commercial
• PADI Advanced Diver
• RYA powerboat Level 2
• RYA VHF SRC (GMDSS)
• STCW BST
• ENG1 Medical
• RYA PPR
• Radar
• Food & Hygiene Level 2 Sports
• Massage Therapist

Chef Iona Newman

lona was born and raised in-between London and the Cotswolds, also spending many summers in Lake Como which sparked her passion and love for cooking. lona has been trained at both the Ashburton and Orchards cookery school in the U.K. and has worked over several summers as a private chef in the Algarve Portugal where she made top quality meals in the comfort of the client villas.

During the winter seasons lona worked in the French Alps running and catering chalets to a very high standard. With both of these experiences, lona is able to present and deliver a vast variety of cuisines. lona aims to impress and wow and is constantly experimenting with new ideas, always receiving outstanding reviews. lona has a Mediterranean cooking flare and loves working with both land and sea elements.

After graduating with 2:1 degree in Economics from Oxford Brookes University, lona worked in the renowned Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, before following her passion for hospitality and starting her first yacht season in Mallorca where she met Stella. They worked together on a 55ft catamaran sailing around the Balearic Islands. They are a dynamic and outstanding team, and they have the customers wellbeing at the heart of everything they do. They have chartered the Mediterranean extensively and are looking forward to welcoming guests in the Caribbean.

CERTIFICATES
• STCW
• Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene
• Ashburton Cookery School
• Orchards Cookery School