Big News from Chef Hilda — Culinary School & Elevating the Taste of San Blas!

At Quest Ocean Adventures, we’re always looking for ways to elevate your San Blas sailing experience, both above and below deck. That’s why I, Chef Hilda, am beyond excited to share that I’ll be starting Culinary School in Stockholm this September!

I’ll be training under Chef Gaja Dudkiewicz, who studied at the world-renowned César Ritz Colleges in Switzerland, among other acclaimed culinary institutions. This is a dream come true for me, and it means even more amazing flavours and creative meals coming your way aboard Quest.

Chef Hilda listening to the sound of the ocean

We’ve always believed that great food is an essential part of a great sailing adventure — especially when you're exploring paradise. Our guests already love the local

flavours we serve during our San Blas boat trips, and this is just the beginning. From cooking with fresh-caught seafood to creating inspired Caribbean dishes, I’m looking forward to bringing elevated cuisine to our voyages between Cartagena, Colombia and Puerto Lindo, Panama, and later on our trips to the Arctic!

On our latest sailing trip through the San Blas Islands, we supported the local Guna community by purchasing freshly caught conch for our guests. I prepared it as a crispy fried treat, served with creamy coleslaw and homemade jerk-seasoned potato chips — and it was a hit! There’s something truly special about connecting with local traditions through food, especially when paired with a cold drink and the sound of the ocean around you.

Supporting local Guna community in San Blas

Conch - a Caribbean delicacy

At Quest Ocean Adventures, we don’t just offer unforgettable Caribbean sailing tours — we create an experience full of culture, connection, and flavour. I can’t wait to continue learning and to bring new skills and recipes back onboard to share with you.

The result - fried conch, coleslaw mayo and jerk seasoned potato chips

Whether you’re snorkeling the reefs, relaxing on deck, or enjoying a freshly cooked meal at sunset, your San Blas sailing trip is about to get even more delicious.

See you onboard!

Greetings from the galley,

Chef Hilda