The yachting world was introduced to Bravo when Below Deck launched in 2013, and it's time to talk about which chefs from the show really dazzle. Since then, four spinoffs (Below Deck Mediterranean, Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Below Deck Down Under, and Below Deck Adventure) have aired, with fans meeting new captains, bosuns, and chefs.
Most of these yachts have smaller kitchens than chefs are used to. Chefs may need help to cope with the compact galleys. Whether they get assistance or not, they have to perform at the highest levels for guests. While each of these chefs has a different personality, they must consider their guests' preferences, rather than just cooking what they want to. Which Below Deck chefs are best.
13 Ryan McKeown
Below Deck Down Under (Season 1)
In Below Deck Down Under season 1, Chef Ryan McKeown quickly got on everyone's wrong side. He was rude right away to his chief stew, and felt that his word was the only one that mattered. He also didn't give guests the desired experiences regarding quality and presentation. Ryan could have prepared better food if he put in more effort and tried different cuisine, but he kept it simple. However, he complained whenever a guest or crew member had negative feedback, or a suggestion. He blamed his hardships on bad Below Deck guests, but his attitude was the problem.
12 Leon Walker
Below Deck (Season 3)
Leon Walker was a chef for ten episodes in Below Deck season 3. While aboard Eros, Leon was a fantastic chef, but quite argumentative. Due to his abrasive personality, many didn't want to see Leon back for future charters. Although he was a solid cook, his personality got in the way of him becoming a fantastic chef. Leon and chief stew Kate Chastain battled throughout the season, and he only sometimes followed through with requests from the guests. It all ended when Leon was fired following a fire in the kitchen, which started because the galley was dirty. After Leon's firing, Ben Robinson swooped in to save the day.
11 Hindrigo "Kiko" Lorran
Below Deck Mediterranean (Season 5)
In Below Deck Med season 5, Hindrigo (AKA Kiko) stole viewers' hearts with his charm and endearing personality. He quickly became friends with the crew. Also, he worked closely with Captain Sandy on the guests' expectations.
Sadly, Kiko's work in the kitchen began to falter. Guests kept sending his food back; presentations were wrong, and he needed more confidence. Eventually, Captain Sandy fired Kiko. Despite his over ten years of working in international cuisine, the yachting life wasn't for him. Because of the many complaints, Kiko wasn't Below Deck's best chef.
10 Natasha De Bourg
Below Deck Sailing Yacht (Season 2)
In Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 2, Natasha De Bourg came aboard as the executive chef. With an impressive resume, including Michelin-star experience, it was assumed Natasha's success was a sure thing. The guests loved Natasha's food, but fans on Reddit were quick to say how unimpressive the food looked. Still, regarding how good it was, Natasha nailed it with guests.
9 Matthew Shea
Below Deck Mediterranean (Season 6)
Matthew Shea was popular in season 6 for arguing with the crew. Matthew had disagreements with flight attendants, deckhands, and even Captain Sandy. Regardless of his arguments with the crew, Matthew was a fantastic chef with a long list of celebrities he's cooked for (Hugh Jackman and Rupert Murdoch, to name a couple). Guests who ate his food often commended and praised his work. Sadly, his anxiety kept him from cooking on the first charter, and he had too many hiccups throughout the season to be ranked the best.
8 Kevin Dobson
Below Deck (Season 7)
Kevin Dobson was the chef in season 7 of Below Deck. As one of New Zealand and Australia's most sought-after chefs, Kevin was introduced to the yachting world and never looked back. He wasn't always the most likable person aboard, but sometimes the unfriendly chefs cook the best food. During his time on the show, he had a few tiffs with some of the best and worst guests when there were complaints about insufficient food. Still, he made excellent meals for the crew.
7 Tom Checketts
Below Deck Mediterranean (Season 5)
After Kiko was fired from season 5's The Wellington, Malia White's (then) boyfriend, Tom Checketts, came aboard and filled in as chef. Tom spent nine years in the yachting world as a head chef after working in well-known restaurants, including one of Gordon Ramsay's. Tom was a bit frantic on the boat, considering he wasn't planning to join the crew, but he did it anyway when Sandy needed him in a pinch. Guests and staff loved Tom's food, but his personality could have been better.
6 Adam Glick
Below Deck Sailing & Below Deck Mediterranean (1, 2, And 3)
Adam Glick is the only chef who has worked in the kitchen for Below Deck Med. and Below Deck Sailing Yacht. Glick appeared in Below Deck Med. seasons 2 and 3 and Below Deck Sailing's season 1. Aside from his cooking, Adam was most remembered for a love affair between him, Malia, and Wes Walton on Below Deck Med. Nevertheless, Adam was a great chef who was passionate about cooking and was consistent with his meals. Onion Gate nearly ruined him, but he bounced back from that ordeal, and he's known as one of the better chefs on the show.
5 Rachel Hargrove
Below Deck (Seasons 8, 9, 10)
Rachel Hargrove served on seasons 8 through 10's My Seanna and is one of the most consistent chefs in the series. However, she has confirmed she won't be returning to Below Deck after season 10. She rarely got negative reviews from the guests, was dryly outspoken, and perfected a 10-course dinner. Crew members like Eddie Lucas and Francesca Rubi were so impressed with her French toast that they said it was the best they've ever had — and there were more tasty treats where that came from. In the yachting world, keeping the guests fed keeps the guests happy.
4 Adrian Martin
Below Deck (Season 6)
Adrian is one of Below Deck's best chefs. His skills in the kitchen were some of the best the show has seen, and it's hard to top his unique dishes and sumptuous plating. What makes the perfect chef is great in the kitchen and a solid team player. The only thing stopping Adrian from being the best Below Deck chef was his sometimes abrasive personality. Although he was a great cook, Adrian wasn't always the most respectful person to his crew; some saw him as misogynistic.
3 Ben Robinson
Below Deck & Below Deck Mediterranean (Seasons 1-4 and Seasons 1 and 4)
Ben Robinson wasn't just a genuinely fun and outgoing yachty; he was one of the best chefs in the series. His laugh, hairstyle, and snarky one-liners made Ben an instant meme in the Below Deck world. Robinson was in four straight seasons of Below Deck and seasons 1 and 4 of Below Deck Med. Thanks to his bubbly personality, he was well-connected in the Bravo universe and knew how to be one of the more likable chefs in the series. Ben always knew what to make in the kitchen and exceeded the captain's expectations. He took complete control and was always ready to work. It's because of all those factors that made him one of Below Deck's best chefs.
2 Marcos Spaziani
Below Deck Sailing Yacht (Season 3)
Marcos Spaziani had ten years of working in the industry before joining the sailing yacht. Hailing from Venezuela, Marcos had fantastic knowledge of different cuisines, which blew the socks off guests. In many ways, Marcos is one of the more underrated chefs. There were rarely any complaints about his meals, and the guests (and crew) could taste the passion in his food. What’s even stranger about Marcos is that he was hardly in any drama that pertained to the team. Perhaps his lack of drama contributed to his forgettable nature.
1 David White
Below Deck Mediterranean (Season 7)
David (AKA Dave) White is the chef to beat! Starring in season 7, Dave has had gold stars across the board from his crew, guests, and Captain Sandy. While there are fake things on Below Deck, he can't fake his excellent skills in the kitchen. Despite the drama between him and Natasha Webb, Dave was always professional with the guests and has served fantastic food. The presentations were terrific, and he had fun with different cuisines. Seeing the same dish come out of the kitchen on Dave's watch was rare. Because of his passion and professionalism, Dave is the best chef on of the Below Deck franchise.