Throughout the years, the Below Deck Mediterranean universe has had its fair share of temperamental chefs. But love them or hate them, the chef is an integral part of the yacht’s success. So let’s take a look at every chef up to date who was the best and who didn’t make the cut.
8. Mila Kolomeitseva
Perhaps the worst chef in Below Deck Med history, Mila Kolomeitseva was intolerable. I wanted to root for her as the first female chef, but when I saw her prepare nachos and tacos for guests, I knew we were in trouble. Mila claimed to be a Cordon Bleu-trained chef, but her heavy use of baking soda in a cake told another story. Things only got worse on the crew’s night out, with the taxi ride from hell taking place.
Mila, who was from Siberia and a proud supporter of Vladimir Putin, noted, “I don’t want my son to be growing up and seeing two men kissing each other and thinking this is normal because this is not f*cking normal.” The tension became so intense that deckhand Travis Michalzik called Mila “an oxygen thief.”
7. Kiko Lorran
In Season 5, Below Deck Med fans met Hindrigo “Kiko” Lorran. The chef’s endearing personality and cosmically charged charm won viewers’ hearts. Kiko became fast friends with the crew, which is somewhat unheard of, but he also worked very closely with Captain Sandy Yawn. Naturally, he exceeded guest expectations. But as the season progressed, Kiko’s confidence in the kitchen faltered. Unhappy charter guests kept returning his food as they lacked presentation or taste.
Sadly, Captain Sandy was left with no choice but to fire Kiko. Even though he had spent the last ten years working in international cuisine, he just wasn’t cut out for yachting.
6. Mathew Shea
Season 6 introduced viewers to Chef Mathew Shea. He was most well known for arguing with the crew about anything and everything. Between his disagreements with the stews, deckhands, and Captain Sandy, the workplace became toxic. However, guests saw another side of Mathew thanks to his delectable food. He boasted of working for stars such as Hugh Jackman and Rupert Murdoch, so he knew how to present a good-looking dish. However, Mathew suffered from crippling anxiety, which kept him from even cooking on the very first charter, which often made for an uncomfortable dinner service.
5. Tom Checketts
After Kiko was fired halfway through Season 5, Tom Checketts was brought in. The man was pretentious, and it was hard to understand why Malia White was even dating him then. Fans learned that Tom had spent nine years in the yachting industry as a head chef. Before that, he worked in some of the most well-known restaurants, including one of Gordon Ramsay’s. Even with such high accolades, time was manic on the boat, and often threw over-the-top tantrums. Guests, however, loved his food, but he could have been nicer to his coworkers.
4. David White
I can’t help it, but David White of Season 7 just gave me the creeps. Even though he was rated high guests and hired by Captain Sandy for her wedding, his crew quarter antics were just out of this world. While David couldn’t fake his skills in the kitchen, he also couldn’t figure out how to be rejected gracefully. He and Natasha Webb found themselves in a weird dynamic. If David had gotten past his ego, he would have been one of the better chefs, in my opinion, thanks to his love of different cuisines and presentation. But his lack of professionalism just tainted his TV appearance.
3. Jack Luby
Cooking eggs should be a prerequisite for any yachting chef, but I’ll let Jack Luby slide. Without a doubt, the Liverpool native is one of the best chefs ever to grace the Below Deck Med franchise. Jack never faltered regarding his immense talents and knew what he was capable of. Jack cooked some amazing meals and got along with the crew.
2. Adam Glick
Adam Glick was a fan favorite and worked on two Below Deck franchises. While appearing in Season 2 of Below Deck Med, he became entangled in a triangle boatman between Malia and Bosun Wes Walton. Adam was extremely passionate about his cooking and often delivered amazing meals. Arguably, Adam was one of the better chefs to appear on the small screen.
1. Ben Robinson
What can I say about Ben Robinson other than he is perhaps my most loved chef of the franchise? Ben had his own sense of humor that resonated over the boat, along with his quirky laugh. Between his hairstyle and witty one-liners, he became an instant fan favorite. Ben’s eccentric sense of self helped develop multiple memes after him and made him one of the most likable chefs in the series. Ben never faltered in the kitchen, even when he punched a pan or two. Even when under immense pressure, Ben often took control and served up some mouth-watering entrees.
TELL US – WHICH BELOW DECK MED CHEF IS YOUR FAVORITE?
