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Look Back at Every Below Deck Mediterranean Chef From All Seasons
These culinary geniuses made luxury meals happen aboard their respective ships.
Hidden in the galley of every ship, a big personality keeps guests' happiness afloat. Ready to cater to their every demand, this very talented individual serves up eggs any which way, the most luxurious of themed dishes, and seafood extravaganzas galore — with a side of their own drama (especially for the preference-sheet averse).
"I definitely have experience coddling chefs," said Malia White during Season 6 Episode 5 of Below Deck Mediterranean. "You just kind of want to shake them, and be like, 'This is your job.'"
Through the years, Below Deck fans have grown accustomed to the special brand of personality a chef brings to the ship crew. And while some are more theatrical than others, each individual brings something special to the menu.
So, who are all the chefs who've worked for Captain Sandy Yawn on the glamorous waters of the Mediterranean Sea?
Behold, your complete list is served.
Below Deck Mediterranean Chefs
Seasons 1, 4: Ben Robinson
The beloved and hilarious Below Deck chef Ben Robinson also served as chef in Season 1 of Below Deck Mediterranean. He later returned during BDM Season 4, appearing in Episodes 13 through 18 after Captain Sandy Yawn let chef Mila Kolomeitseva go and her replacement, Anastasia Surmava, returned to her official position of third stew.
According to Ben, serving as a Below Deck chef is "the hardest job there is."
"You're on your own and you're in charge of provisioning, budgeting, it's a tiny little space, you have no help," he explained during Season 4 Episode 13 of the Below Deck Mediterranean After Show. "A good chef will be able to rise above it, but it's tough. It's a tough gig."
RELATED: Meet the Crewmates Joining Captain Sandy Yawn on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 8
Seasons 2-3: Adam Glick
Boat life, van life, Chef Adam Glick's life. A surfer who has lived in a camper van when he’s not on charter, Adam calls himself the “Adventure Chef,” preparing five-star food in "beautiful, remote, and off-grid locations." The California boy earned his degree in Culinary Management from the Art Institute of California - San Diego and worked in some of SoCal's best restaurants before setting out for the open sea as a yacht chef.
While on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 2, Adam found himself in a love triangle with Malia and Wes Walton. The following season, a situation-ship with chief stew Jenna MacGillivray brought the heat. Nevertheless, he kept his cooking consistent through the personal drama.
When a charter broker visited the ship in Season 2 Episode 11, she called Adam's cuisine "excellent."
"Your chef is absolutely amazing," the guest, Shannon, said to Captain Sandy's delight.
Adam went on to serve as chef in Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 1.
Season 4: Mila Kolomeitseva (Episodes 1-5)
Of all the controversial chefs in the Below Deck franchise, Chef Mila may take the (boxed) (pan)cake. The first female chef in Below Deck history when she joined the show, the Le Cordon Bleu-trained Mila was let go by Captain Sandy in Episode 5 after guests called her food "icky." Third stewardess Anastasia Surmava had to take her place in the galley.
"Of course it makes me feel awful," Mila shared during an emotional interview in the episode. "People like me who have big egos sometimes have to be put down to earth a little bit. But it makes me feel like I want to work even harder."
Season 4: Anastasia Surmava (Episodes 5-12)
After Mila's dismissal, Sirocco's third stew stepped up and took over chef duties for part of the charter season (Episodes 5 through 12). Born to a pastry chef mother, Anastasia proved herself capable of taking on the demanding role — even though her "cocky" attitude got the best of her at times.
"Here's the thing: I had everybody telling me, especially my chief stew and my captain, 'You need to have a chef's attitude, you need to step it up, you need to act like a chef,'" Anastasia shared during an October 2019 WWHL appearance. "Inside, I was internally combusting, and on the outside, I was just trying to hold it together. So I think I was just maybe trying to convince myself that I could do it."
Now living in Vermont, Anastasia co-owns Ocean International Training Academy alongside Below Deck Med alum Hannah Ferrier. In March 2023, she welcomed her first child, daughter Arabella, with husband Will Higginson.
Season 5: Hindrigo "Kiko" Lorran (Episodes 1-10)
Brazilian chef Hindrigo "Kiko" Lorran joined the crew for just 10 episodes in Season 5 before being let go by Captain Sandy. The firing came after the disorganized Kiko delivered a lackluster, fried-food filled Vegas-themed dinner. Nevertheless, he stayed through the end of the charter — and made some great friendships on board.
“I think I left with a good impression,” Kiko shared in Episode 10 following his emotional exit. “Food is love for me. It’s not just technique or anything like that… I was proud of myself.”
These days, Kiko is still cooking around the world according to his Instagram bio, with fiancée Nicole Skwara by his side.
Season 5: Tom Checketts (Episodes 11-20)
Everything fell into place after Kiko's firing, when Malia's then-boyfriend, Tom Checketts, stopped by for a visit and took over chef duties. Born and raised in the U.K. by chef parents, Tom decided he wanted to pursue a career in the culinary arts at an early age. Prior to joining The Wellington's crew, he'd had nine years of experience working on yachts as a head chef.
Nowadays, the Brit is still pursuing his passion — and showing off his onboard delicacies on Instagram.
Season 6: Mathew Shea
"I find that I thrive under pressure," Chef Mathew Shea shared during Season 6 Episode 4 while juggling crew dinner, a multi-course charter meal, and some pizzas for the guests' children. "It's when I have too much time to think that I struggle."
Among the many dramatic Below Deck crew departures over the years, chef Mat might win for most departures. After a knee injury caused him to take time off to get an MRI, he once again left his position after a dramatic Episode 5 night out... only to return to Lady Michelle and finish out the season.
"I know it's on TV, so people will probably think I'm like this all the time, but never have I gotten that upset and overwhelmed, like worked up," he told Bravo Insider in August 2021. "You only regret the things you don't do. But at this point, I just want to finish the season and prove that I can do better."
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Mat first experienced life in the galley when he went on tour with Greenpeace as an assistant to a classically-trained French chef. Through the years, he gained notoriety and a number of high profile clients. Post-Below Deck Med, Mathew works as a private chef in Boston, Massachusetts, according to his Instagram bio. Mathew lives in Boston with his wife, Joanna, and their new son, Noah Marcel Shea.
Season 7: Dave White
A self-described adrenaline addict with plenty of Head Chef experience, Chef Dave White joined the Below Deck Med crew in Season 7, priding himself on plating, flavor, and presentation. Episode 18 pancake drama aside, guests and crew were impressed with Dave's cooking — he even got someone to like seafood.
“He worked nonstop. Dave’s the best chef we’ve ever had, ever, on Below Deck [Mediterranean],” Captain Sandy shared during the show's Season 7 WWHL reunion.
During Season 7, Dave and Chief Stew Natasha Webb stirred up drama when it was discovered they were romantically connected before the season began.
Season 8: Jack Luby
In September 2023, Bravo announced the new crew joining Captain Sandy for Season 8 of Below Deck Med, including Chef Jack Luby. Hailing from Liverpool, England, Jack has 14 years of experience as a chef, with three years dedicated to yachting.
According to Jack, the galley of Mustique is one of the best he's worked in so far. "It really gave me a chance to showcase the best of my skills and abilities," he said.
You can see Jack at work when Below Deck Med Season 8 premieres on September 25 on Bravo and next day on Peacock.
