Yamikani at Sea: Cruising to the Next Level (Food, Music & Luxury Lifestyle)

Hey Skinnies, welcome back to another Skinny Chef Diaries weekly blog! How are you all doing?

On this week’s foodie calendar, we’re celebrating Global Smoothie Day  an international event that promotes the joy and health benefits of smoothies. Skinnies, this day is all about blending nutrient-packed smoothies using seasonal fruits and vegetables

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But while we’re globetrotting through flavours, let me ask you something: when you think of luxury cruises, what comes to mind? Sparkling waters, gourmet dining, and sunsets melting into the horizon? For Yamikani, it’s that plus jazz chords, spotlighted stages, and midnight bites between performances.

At the heart of this floating paradise is Yamikani, the sultry-voiced singer whose performances transform every evening into a celebration of flavour, rhythm, and romance.

Yamikani Mahaka Phiri is a reciepient of two Naledi awards.

Shadre and I recently caught up with Yami  the soulful singer, multi-disciplinary artist, and oh yes Skinnies, a multi-Naledi Award winner  now making waves on international waters. Let’s dive into what Yami had to say about cruising, luxury, and life at sea.

For him, it’s about recalibrating your senses, your priorities, and your outlook on life. For many, a cruise is the first time they’ve truly tasted peace.

Skinny Chef: You’ve performed in some of the most luxurious settings on the ocean. How has performing on a cruise ship shaped your sound or stage presence?

Yami displaying his musical prowess on stage.

Yami: I’ve been in musical theatre for fifteen years, so I was used to singing a certain way. But cruise ships demand flexibility  twelve different shows, all kinds of styles. It stretched me, pushed me from theatre into pop, rock, and everything in between. It was tough at first, but my voice grew with it. I’ve become more versatile, stronger, and more confident as an artist.

Skinny Chef: Any memorable audience reactions or unexpected musical moments while performing mid-cruise?

Yami: Oh gosh, yes! Once, during a production show, an elderly gentleman  must’ve been about 87  jumped up on stage and started dancing with us. Everything was choreographed, so technically he shouldn’t have been there, but the cast just improvised and went with it. The crowd loved it. It was wild, but such a beautiful moment.

Skinny Chef: Let’s talk food. What’s the best meal you’ve had on board — and was it before or after a show?

Yami: There was this restaurant called Salt Kitchen. I practically lived there. Their rib-eye steak was legendary huge, juicy, and absolutely delicious. They also had something called a Club Asada  grilled meat dishes like tacos and burritos, especially big on Royal Caribbean cruises. Pure indulgence!

Skinny Chef: Have you discovered any interesting dishes or ingredients thanks to cruising in different countries?

Yami: Yes! Each time we docked, the ship’s menu adapted to that country. In Morocco, they served wild boar  something I’d never tried before. At first, I thought, “This is strange,” but wow, it was unforgettable. That dish is forever etched in my foodie memory.

Skinny Chef: “Cruising to the next level” — it sounds like both a career move and a life metaphor. What does that phrase mean to you right now?

Yami: For me, it’s a huge stepping stone. Financially, theatres can’t compare to what cruise contracts pay  unless it’s Broadway or something massive. So this has given me the foundation to grow: to fund my production company, Abebala Productions, to buy a house, to simply step into adulthood. Cruising has given me independence, growth, and real freedom.

Skinny Chef: What’s next for you? Are you cooking up new music adventures — maybe inspired by your travels and culinary discoveries?

Yami: chuckles I’m booked until 2027, so I’ll ride this wave a little longer. But my heart still belongs to musical theatre. It’s my first love. I feel young enough to return stronger to refine my voice, my body, my craft and when I do, I want to shake up the theatre scene in a whole new way.

Skinny Chef: If your music had a flavour, what would it taste like?

Yamikani's music re-mimagined in the form of Rainbow coloured cake

Yami: Damn. I think it would taste like a mix of vanilla and chocolate cake… maybe even a rainbow flavour, if that exists! Let’s say… spicy vanilla rainbow.

Skinny Chef: Nicely done, Yamikani! Thank you for joining us, nephew . Much love we’re so grateful to be sharing this quality family time with you.

So Skinnies, you heard it all! That’s a wrap on this week’s blog. Thanks for tuning in! Sending love — stay healthy, stay safe, and most importantly, stay skinny! Same time, same place next week!

Creative Director: Shadre Leonard