How We Work

Our Process

Every project is different. The process below is how we approach all of them — from a single equipment order to a complete new-build galley fit-out.

Superyacht galley design and project management process — The Superyacht Galley specialist team
1

Initial Enquiry

Contact us by email or through the enquiry form. Tell us what you need — the vessel name, size and type, the scope of the project and your timeline. There is no minimum project size and no obligation to proceed.

Start an enquiry →
2

Discovery Call

We respond to every enquiry within one business day. For projects beyond single equipment orders, we arrange a call — typically 30–60 minutes — to understand the brief in detail: the vessel's culinary programme, the galley footprint and services, the budget parameters and the operational context.

3

Specification

We produce a detailed equipment specification. For larger projects, this includes layout drawings, services requirements and a prioritised equipment schedule. For single-item orders, this step is a written specification confirming brand, model, dimensions and technical requirements.

4

Quotation

We obtain competitive quotations for the specified equipment from our manufacturer and distributor network. We present a clear quotation — equipment cost, delivery cost and any applicable taxes — with lead time confirmation for each item.

5

Order & Logistics

On instruction, we place orders and manage the logistics — coordinating delivery schedules with the shipyard, refit yard or marina, managing customs and import documentation where required, and tracking each item through to delivery confirmation.

6

Installation Support

For projects where our presence on-site adds value, we attend the vessel during equipment installation and commissioning. We work alongside the yard's engineers and the vessel's crew to ensure equipment is installed correctly and commissioned to manufacturer specification.

Refit services →
7

Handover & After-Sales

On completion, we conduct a formal handover — ensuring the chief steward/stewardess and chef understand the operation and maintenance of all equipment. We provide all documentation: warranties, service contacts and operational manuals. After-sales support continues beyond handover.

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How We Operate

The Principles Behind the Process

Independence

We are not employed by or affiliated with any equipment manufacturer. Our specification recommendations reflect what is right for the vessel — not what generates the largest margin for us.

Transparency

We present costs clearly — equipment cost, logistics cost, our fee. No hidden charges, no inflated list prices with undisclosed discounts applied. What you see is what you pay.

Responsiveness

We respond to every enquiry within one business day. For urgent requirements, we operate outside standard business hours. A galley equipment failure mid-charter does not wait for Monday morning.

Accountability

We take responsibility for the projects we manage. If an item arrives damaged, we resolve it. If a specification error is ours, we correct it at our cost. This is how we prefer to work.

Long-term relationship

Most of our clients return for every subsequent project. We aim for every engagement to be the beginning of a long-term working relationship — not a single transaction.

Direct access

All enquiries go directly to Abraham Stones. Not an account manager, not an assistant. The specialist you read about on this site is the specialist who works on your project.

Understanding Our Project Process

Every project The Superyacht Galley manages follows the same structured process — from the initial enquiry through specification, procurement, delivery, installation and crew handover. The scope and scale varies enormously between a single equipment replacement and a full new-build galley fit-out, but the underlying discipline is the same: understand the brief precisely, specify correctly, procure competitively, deliver reliably and hand over properly.

The steps below describe the process in detail. Not every step applies to every engagement — a single equipment order may move directly from specification to procurement and delivery — but all apply to complete project engagements, and we hold ourselves accountable to each one.

Why Process Matters in Superyacht Galley Projects

Superyacht programmes are unforgiving of errors. A galley refit that over-runs delays the season. Equipment that arrives without the correct documentation cannot be installed. Specifications that were not checked against SOLAS requirements create problems at the MCA survey. An installation that was not commissioned correctly means a chef who cannot operate their galley on the first morning of a charter. Our process exists specifically to prevent these failures — by building in the checks and the accountabilities that catch problems before they become consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions — Our Process

How quickly do you respond to new enquiries?+
We respond to every new enquiry within one business day. For urgent requirements — galley equipment failures mid-charter, commissioning issues the day before guests arrive — we respond as quickly as the situation demands, including out-of-hours and at weekends. A galley equipment problem aboard a working superyacht does not wait for Monday morning, and neither do we.
What do you need from us at the initial enquiry stage?+
As much or as little as you have available. At minimum: vessel name, size, type and what you need. For larger projects, it helps to know the operational programme, any existing galley drawings or equipment schedules, the budget framework and the project timeline. We are experienced at working from incomplete briefs and refining the scope through the discovery process — so do not wait until you have everything before making contact.
What happens at the discovery call?+
The discovery call is a structured conversation — typically 30 to 60 minutes — in which we establish the full brief. We ask about the vessel's culinary programme, the existing galley layout, the crew structure, the operational profile and the commercial context. The goal is to understand not just what equipment is needed but what the galley needs to be able to do, and what the constraints are. From this call, we produce the specification brief.
How long does the specification stage take?+
A specification for a single equipment replacement can be produced within 48 hours of the discovery call. A full new-build galley specification — including layout drawings, services schedule and detailed equipment schedule — typically takes two to four weeks, depending on project complexity, the availability of existing drawings and the speed of client review and feedback.
How do you manage procurement across multiple manufacturers?+
We place all orders with our established manufacturer and distributor contacts, coordinating lead times across all items in the specification. We maintain a single delivery schedule for the project, flagging any lead time conflicts early and adjusting sourcing strategy to resolve them. All order confirmations, lead time commitments and tracking updates are consolidated and reported to the client in a single document — not a stream of individual manufacturer communications.
What happens if equipment is damaged in transit?+
We manage the resolution. All deliveries are made against comprehensive freight insurance. If equipment arrives damaged, we assess whether field repair, factory swap or expedited replacement is the fastest path to resolving the situation — and pursue that path with the manufacturer or insurer. The client is not left to manage a claim against a freight carrier or a manufacturer warranty department they have no direct relationship with.
What does the commissioning stage involve?+
Commissioning involves running all installed equipment through its full operational range to confirm it is functioning correctly, connected properly to services and performing to specification. For combi ovens, this includes running a full cook cycle. For refrigeration, it means temperature mapping across all zones. For dishwashers, a full wash cycle with chemistry set correctly for the water supply. Any issues identified at commissioning are resolved before formal handover.
What is included in the formal handover documentation?+
The handover documentation pack includes: equipment schedule with serial numbers and model references, manufacturer warranties and warranty registration confirmation, service contact details for each piece of equipment, operational manuals for all items, a commissioning record confirming equipment has been set up and tested, and our own operational notes where non-obvious settings or operational practices are relevant. All documentation is provided in both printed and digital form.
Step One

Start With an Enquiry

Tell us about your vessel and your project — we will respond within one business day.

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