Summary
- Chef Ben Robinson stood out as one of the best chefs in the Below Deck series for his likable personality and impressive cooking skills.
- Chef Rachel Hargrove gained praise for her consistent and delicious meals, impressing guests and crew alike.
- Chef Hindrigo "Kiko" Lorran failed to meet expectations in the kitchen on Below Deck Med season 5, leading to his eventual firing by Captain Sandy.
The yachting world was introduced to Bravo when Below Deck launched in 2013 and has given the viewers some of the best chefs in the yachting world. Since then, four spin-offs, Below Deck Mediterranean, Below Deck Sailing Yacht, Below Deck Down Under, and Below Deck Adventure, have aired, offering new captains, bosuns, stews, and chefs. However, the chefs dazzle the audience the most.
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. Which Below Deck chefs are best?
20 Best Reality TV Shows Right Now
Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.
18 Ryan McKeown
Below Deck Down Under Season 1
In Below Deck Down Under season 1, Chef Ryan McKeown quickly got on everyone's bad side. He was rude right away to his Chief Stew, Aesha Scott, and believed that his word was the only one that mattered. Chef Ryan also didn't give guests the desired experience regarding quality and presentation. He could have prepared better food if he put in more effort and tried different cuisines, but he kept it simple. However, Chef Ryan complained whenever a guest or crew member had negative or a suggestion. He blamed his hardships on bad Below Deck guests, but his attitude was the problem.
17 Leon Walker
Below Deck Season 3
Chef Leon Walker was the chef for ten episodes in Below Deck season 3. While aboard Eros, Leon was a fantastic chef but was 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 great 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, Chef Ben Robinson swooped in to save the day.
16 Hindrigo "Kiko" Lorran
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 5
In Below Deck Mediterranean 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 Yawn 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.
15 Natasha De Bourg
Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2
In Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 2, Chef 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 in the Reddit thread started by charter guests Tony and Barrie Drewhitt, who loved her food.
14 Mathew Shea
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 6
Chef Mathew Shea was popular during Below Deck Med season 6 for arguing with the crew. Matthew had disagreements with the stews, deckhands, and even Captain Sandy. Regardless of his arguments with the crew, Mathew 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.
13 Kevin Dobson
Below Deck Season 7
Chef Kevin Dobson was the chef during Below Deck season 7. As one of New Zealand and Australia's most sought-after chefs, Chef 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, Chef Kevin 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.
12 Tom Checketts
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 5
After Kiko was fired from season 5's The Wellington, Malia White's (then) boyfriend, Chef 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 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.
11 Adam Glick
Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 1 & Below Deck Mediterranean 2-3
Chef 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 ed for a love affair between him, Malia, and Bosun Wes Walton in Below Deck Med season 2. Nevertheless, Adam was a great chef who was ionate about cooking and was consistent with his meals. Onion Gate nearly ruined him, but he bounced back from that ordeal. Chef Adam is known as one of the better chefs in the franchise.
10 Rachel Hargrove
Below Deck Seasons 8-10
Chef Rachel Hargrove served on Below Deck seasons 8-10 and is one of the most consistent chefs from the franchise. She confirmed she wouldn't be returning to Below Deck after season 10. Chef Rachel rarely got negative reviews from the guests, was dryly outspoken, and perfected a 10-course dinner. Crew like Eddie Lucas and sca 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.
9 Adrian Martin
Below Deck Season 6
Chef Adrian Martin 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.
