The 8 Least Memorable Below Deck Franchise Chefs, Ranked

Bravo’s Below Deck season 11’s in full swing, so it’s the perfect time to look back at the franchise’s eight least memorable chefs. These chefs may have had exceptional culinary skills, but they weren’t able to leave their marks on the series. This installment of the long-running Bravo show introduces a crew filled with returning and fresh faces. It’s led by Captain Kerry Titheradge, aboard the mega yacht, St. David. Captain Kerry replaced fan-favorite Captain Lee Rosbach, who used to helm the vessel. Captain Kerry’s joined by returning cast members Chief Stew Fraser Olender and Deckhand-turned-Bosun, Ben Willoughby.

The franchise has featured many great chefs over the years. One of the Below Deck season 11 cast’s new faces is Chef Anthony Iracane, who made his series debut during the premiere episode of season 11. Chef Anthony’s culinary skills will undoubtedly add flavor to the new season, and he has already impressed charter guests. Aside from his work in the kitchen, Chef Anthony will certainly be involved in some of the season’s dramatic moments. As Chef Anthony tries to carve out an identity, it’s time to reflect on talented Below Deck chefs who may have faded from memory.

8

Natasha De Bourg

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2

Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 2 featured executive chef Natasha De Bourg. Natasha came aboard with an impressive resume, including Michelin-star experience, so it was assumed that her success was a sure thing. The proud Trinidad native was thrilled to be able to represent Caribbean women on the show. She started her career by interning at multiple high-end restaurants and eventually landed a role as a head chef in France. During her time on the show, Natasha often opened up about her past, allowing fans to really connect with her. Despite that, her time as executive chef on the franchise is often forgotten.

Charter guests loved Natasha’s food, but fans on a Reddit thread started by czej1800 were quick to say how unimpressive the food looked. “She does talk a LOT about her credentials but her food does look pretty simple and boring,” wrote one Reddit user, in a sentiment that was often repeated throughout the comment section. Another comment read, “Not only is her food unimpressive and poorly executed but she has a terrible, “holier than thou” attitude.” Despite how her food may look to some fans, charter guests were often impressed with Natasha’s meals.

7

David White

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 7

Chef David White from Below Deck Mediterranean season 7 got high scores from guests and crew alike. Even Captain Sandy, who was hard to please, was a big fan of Dave. He was creative, had fun with different cuisines, and cared about presentation. Though Dave was always professional with the guests and served fantastic food, he had a messy romantic drama with Chief Stew Natasha Webb. Dave and Natasha were already embroiled in a romantic entanglement when they came aboard, but they kept the secret to themselves. At one point, during a fight, Dave threatened to expose their secret and later sent Natasha inappropriate text messages. He has since apologized for the regrettable behavior.

Before appearing on Below Deck Mediterranean, Dave had several years of cooking experience, and even opened his very own French restaurant. His appearance on the show was not his first experience as a yacht chef, and Dave was known to serve some of the best dishes seen on the series. The UK-born chef suffered a back injury and had to have spinal surgery after wrapping up filming season 7. The self-described adrenaline junkie is prepping for a second climb up Mount Everest in 2023.

6

Kevin Dobson

Below Deck Season 7

Executive Chef Kevin Dobson, who only appeared on Below Deck season 7, was often seen butting heads with Chief Stew Kate Chastain, whom he believed wasn’t meeting his high service standards. He was constantly undermining her at every turn. For Kate’s part, she didn’t appreciate Kevin’s attitude. Kevin got on Kate’s bad side, and he was always clashing with Captain Lee.

One night, the charter guests invited Captain Lee to a guest dinner, and Kevin forgot he had to make an extra plate for dinner that night. Captain Lee was understandably annoyed and told Kevin to step it up for the rest of the season. Though Kevin was able to work things out with Captain Lee, his relationship with Kate never improved, and he never returned to the Below Deck franchise.

5

Tom Checketts

Below Deck Mediterranean

Tom Checketts came aboard during Below Deck Mediterranean season 5, halfway through, as a replacement. The season started off with Chef Kiko Lorran in the kitchen. When Chef Kiko failed to live up to Captain Sandy Yawn’s high standards during a Las Vegas-themed dinner one night, Captain Sandy lost all faith in Kiko and sent him packing. With them needing a new chef, deckhand Malia White, who was dating Tom at the time, suggested him as the chef. Captain Sandy loved the idea and Tom arrived soon after to run the kitchen for the rest of the season.

He even had a full meltdown one night when he had to get back to work before his break was over. He took his frustrations out on second stew Aesha Scott and made her cry. Tom later felt bad and apologized to her. Though chef Tom made quite an impression, he never returned to the franchise after his half season on Below Deck Mediterranean.

4

Adrian Martin

Below Deck Season 6

Adrian Martin of Below Deck season 6 is often considered to be one of the franchise’s best chefs. In addition to his impressive culinary skills, Adrian, who practiced yoga every morning, brought a much-needed sense of calm to the crew… sometimes. At other times, however, he had an abrasive personality and wasn’t always the most respectful crew member. Adrian was criticized for making inappropriate comments towards third stew Laura Betancourt, which made her uncomfortable, and which some people characterized as misogynistic. Adrian wasn’t asked back after Below Deck season 6 and has largely been forgotten.

3

Ileisha Dell

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 4

Chef Ileisha Dell appeared on Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4 and never received any bad reviews from the guests. Overall, the charter guests seemed to enjoy what she brought to the table. In addition to her culinary skills, Ileisha never got involved in any of the drama among the rest of the crew, and mostly stayed in the background. The fact that Ileisha wasn’t an absolute mess, like the rest of her crew mates, is probably why her time on Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4 was so forgettable.

2

Matt Burns

Below Deck Season 5

Yacht Chef Matt Burns impressed charter guests with his culinary skills on Below Deck season 5. When Matt came aboard the yacht, he came with more than ten years of experience working in the restaurant industry, as well as six years of experience as an executive yacht chef. It was clear right away that Matt was passionate about his food and had the highest standards. Matt had traveled all over the world, cooking for famous athletes, Hollywood stars, and high-profile executives. Thanks to all the traveling he was doing, he learned how to cook many forms of cuisine, which impressed charter guests.

Despite being passionate about cooking, according to Matt‘s Instagram, he is no longer cooking professionally and is, instead, a real estate agent. His Instagram profile bio reads, “I like to cook/Home Enthusiast,“ but his feed is filled with homes that are on the market and homes that have been sold.

1

Nate Post

Below Deck Down Under Season 1

The inaugural season of Below Deck Down Under hit major turbulence, when Chef Ryan McKewon was difficult to get along with, while also proving himself to be mediocre in the galley. He often refused to accommodate the guests’ needs and failed to communicate with chief stew Aesha Scott and the rest of the crew. Things got so bad that Captain Jason Chambers finally fired Ryan mid-season, and brought on Chef Nate Post to save the rest of the charter season. Luckily, Nate proved himself to be a much better chef than Ryan, and got along with the rest of the My Thalassa crew better than Ryan had. Nate ended his season with Captain Jason’s respect, but he was never invited back to appear on Below Deck Down Under again.

Sources: czej1800/Reddit, Matt Burns/Instagram