Chef Thierry Goulard, 1956–2020

It is with sadness that we pass along this message received from Christine Barnes on the passing of Chef Thierry Goulard. The text was written by Capt. Graham Barnes. Goulard was a great friend to the family and an amazing chef in the industry.

“Thierry Antoine Louis Goulard
28th July, 1956 – 14th February, 2020

Thierry was a larger than life character with a heart so kind and full of love. He appreciated every second of every day. Always smiling and cracking jokes and telling stories of his childhood and growing up were some of the best stories one could hear.

Thierry, aka Pappi or El Magnifico, was born and raised in Lorient, France, a beautiful region of Brittany. He was also schooled in culinary in Paris. He later lived in the UK. From there he worked and traveled around Europe. He then decided to travel across the pond to New York. Before landing any full-time jobs in NYC, Thierry made some cash to pay the bills by boxing. He became a Golden Gloves boxer after a few years and was able to put his gloves down when he got his chef opportunity at one of New York’s finest restaurants.

A few good years later, Thierry migrated south to Charleston, South Carolina, and enjoyed success with creating his own restaurant. After many years in South Carolina, Thierry found his way to South Florida and worked as executive chef for a number of restaurants. It was during this time that Thierry found his passion for the water again and mixed his culinary skills with his adventure for cruising. Thierry worked as freelance chef on board a number of yachts, most recent vessels were M/Y Totally Nuts, M/Y Enterprise, M/Y Mambo. He then went full time towards the end of last year on M/Y Silver Lining.

When Thierry was not on board creating wonderful food for guests and his fellow crewmembers, he would be in Mexico with his loving wife Izitzel and their two beautiful daughters Celic and Erandi. When he was in Fort Lauderdale between charters, he would be riding around on his motorbike he called “Rambler.” He would often go on his excursions into the Everglades and cruise up to Lake Okeechobee, and then decide last minute to head to St. Augustine for a few days. Spur of the moment decisions were what Thierry loved. He often said that life was a wonderful adventure and that he was the luckiest man in the world.

We were all deeply saddened and heartbroken to hear of Thierry’s sudden passing on board Silver Lining on Valentine’s Day on the French island of St. Barthélemy.   
It’s so hard to have to say goodbye to you. Our lives have been enriched knowing you. You remain in our hearts forever, Thierry. God speed, brother.”