TOP SHELF

Captain: Edin Mudjanovic

Captain Edin, “Ed,” thrives off of sharing his lens of the world from Top Shelf as an interactive playground with white sand beaches waiting to be touched and glistening blue water with the best secrets yet to be discovered. Ed was originally born in Heidelberg, Germany with Croatian and Bosnian Heritage. Always driven towards activity, he spent a lot of his childhood in Pacific Northwest, the epicenter for outdoor enthusiasts. When he’s not out on the water, Ed also enjoys hiking, biking, snowboarding, and fishing.

It was also early in life that Ed was exposed to the world of yachting. Falling in love with travel and the idea of sharing incredible experiences with others, it was undeniable that yachting was his destiny. Driven to make this his career path, Ed made it his mission to balance his college education, receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration from Gonzaga University, while also working on yachts in the Mediterranean.

Post college graduation, Ed has been active in working on charter yachts full-time for the past four years. The Bahamas are his dream location that he is happy to call home. It is a place where he feels like he’s on another planet with sparse populations and long sandy beaches, yet just an easy flight or cruise from civilization. Achieving his 200 ton Masters License, and 500 ton Near Coastal credentials, Ed’s safe and adventurous spirit are the ideal combination on board Top Shelf. You can find him entertaining guests with fishing and an assortment of watersports. As a Captain who has been a dedicated deckhand, Ed is extremely hands on in assisting the crew to provide guests the perfect blend of luxury service and activity.

Chef: Joel Ehrich

Chef Joel could not have imagined a better twist to his culinary career than when he discovered the magic he could concoct on board a charter yacht. As the former Chef de Cuisine at the iconic Absinthe Brasserie & Bar and Bellota, Joel has played an integral part within The Absinthe Group for several years.

His prior culinary career took him from his home in Fort Lauderdale, to studying at the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson & Wales University, and even out to California where he sharpened his skills, progressing his way up to sous chef at a variety of well renowned Napa Valley restaurants including Philippe Jeanty’s Michelin-starred Bistro Jeanty. Returning back to his home in Florida, he rounded out his skill set managing two “sister restaurants” featuring global cuisine with highlights of Italian classics and Asian fusion.

Joel’s favorite part of the culinary arts is guiding guests through a timeless culinary experience. He is motivated to seek the freshest ingredients, creating food that is easily identifiable and presented in a way that is unimaginable. His palate and personal favorite dishes are constantly evolving as diverse, cultural cuisines intrigue him.

In his spare time, Joel enjoys experimenting with home farming and fermenting, and remaining active with jiu jitsu as well as a wide variety of outdoor activities. There is nothing more fulfilling to Joel than sharing his passion for exploring on multiple levels. He loves to see guests light up the beautiful sights of the Bahamas, and equally delight at the adventure that awaits on every plate!

Mate: Marcos I. Padilla Trujillo

With the beach essentially at the doorstep of his home in Puerto Rico, Marcos naturally found his way to life on the sea. Considering himself a merman in another life, yachting became the ideal gateway for Marcos to explore the sea, inspiring curiosity of each guest, and providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Marcos also has a knack for entertainment and the arts, adding a fun and playful pizzaz to life on board Top Shelf. He dedicated his college career to studying Production and Theater as well as Psychology, and is a Drama Club enthusiast. His show now involves sharing all of the wonders that the Bahamas have to offer and even creating unique “theme nights” for guests.

On shore back in Puerto Rico, Marcos previously worked as a Manager of a Luxury Guest House and a Producer at a Drag Club. He was introduced to the world of yachting through his partner and quickly was motivated to move to Fort Lauderdale where he began his career as a Steward.

Marcos is constantly mesmerized by the clear waters, privacy, and soothing relaxation that can be found in the Bahamas, especially at his favorite hideaway, Chub Cay. When he’s not in the water or putting on a fun show, Marcos enjoys anything from engaging in sports like volleyball, rollerskating, and hiking, to the simplicity of reading a nice book and spending quality time with friends. He reflects this balance in his own life to guests by adapting to providing the experience each guest is seeking.