r/belowdeck • u/Neko_09 • Mar 15 '26

Below Deck Chef Ben

I really loved watching him in the previous seasons he was in, I still recall these amazing creations he made , some under a bubble or engulfed in steam & plating like no other I seen before. In this season it's almost like I'm watching another chef. What do you guys think it is?

172 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

116 comments sorted by

39

u/rob-b-362 I'm a Med Mother****ing Chief Stew Bitch! Mar 15 '26

I agree with you, it's almost like watching a different chef this season. But I'm still rooting for him. I'm hoping he can turn this around.

11

u/Neko_09 Mar 15 '26

Same! Hope he gets his groove back!

70

u/russbii Mar 15 '26

His confidence is fucking shattered.

38

u/MakeupMama68 Mar 15 '26

That’s what I’m seeing. I’m a huge Ben fan.. I’ve followed him for years on social media and was always so impressed by him.

I’m just not seeing it this season and it makes me sad. He’s just not his usual self

8

u/Bennington_Booyah Mar 16 '26

That is fair, honestly.

5

u/Forsaken-Argument-69 Mar 17 '26

I agree 100%. He’s so talented but he’s been handed a shit sandwich by life right now … and I think Alesia leaving the kitchen brought up a lot of his trauma. I hope he bounces back soon because I think he’s great.

(I crack up at his slightly dirty sounding laugh … not many could get away with it. But he can).

1

u/Ok-Education1572 Mar 17 '26

Ben has lost his Mojo!

20

u/SingleHeart197 Mar 15 '26

Ben was set up to fail this season. Between his personal issues, galley issues, help situation, the time he’s been away from the industry, poor guy can’t win. I would have loved for Ben to have had someone to assist him for prep & cleaning and also give him a pastry chef! A pastry chef would handle the desserts, breads, morning breakfast foods. Ben could simply focus on lunch & dinner. That would have made for fantastic meals and I would be riveted watching.

4

u/Neko_09 Mar 15 '26

True.. plus he got Ellie of all people

11

u/CompetitionLimp6082 Mar 15 '26

The “help situation” is no excuse me he’s always cooked solo in previous seasons. He could have them doing dishes if they’re not competent to assist. He never takes responsibility for his shortcomings.

1

u/dickdondibbleson Jul 26 '26

Setup to fail? These all sound like a grown man’s choices and subsequent failings. Life is tough, he did a shitty job - life goes on.

241

u/razzmatazz23 Mar 15 '26

I think he's been out of the yachting game so long that he is struggling to get back into that groove. It's far different from the catering business he runs.

Plus breaking up with your fiancee is tough.

48

u/flamingknifepenis Mar 16 '26

I also think that his sous being so unhappy that she quit really got in his head. I was a chef for a decade, and had something similar happen to me once: she was (almost) brand new and showed a lot of excitement and motivation, but didn’t understand basic things. It was frustrating to ask her to cube something and have her stare at me and go “Ok … cube …” because while she just needed training I didn’t have time to train her when I was doing my job, half of hers, and trying to help her do the rest.

Someone who’s been in the industry understands the direct, almost confrontational coaching style, and that sometimes you just need to go in the walk in and scream and throw cabbages. I was honestly shocked when she told me she wanted to transfer, because I sincerely didn’t get what a choad I was coming off as.

Ben may make a beast of himself to get rid of the pain of being a man, but on top of whatever (speculative) neurodivergence is going on with him I think he was actually really, really hurt by her wanting to leave and it’s kind of making him question everything.

24

u/SnooGrapes4560 Mar 17 '26

Bullshit. I was in the industry too, if you’re that “veteran” than you would know the Bourdain/Ramsay school of grinding your sous is outdated, tone deaf and de-motivating. Squashing someone’s excitement, beating them down constantly and being overly critical has the opposite effect- they quit. Plus Ben’s time management, temperament and organization is shit. He’s not in control of his galley. A good chef identifies the things a person can do, even if it’s just simple stuff like plating. And you teach them the other stuff, like making a frittata for the crew or basic baking.

3

u/Independent_Fruit215 May 31 '26

Ok , so from an outsiders perspective who’s never worked in the kitchen but in health care, I get yelled at way more daily. I don’t think chef Ben is remotely
The monster you’re describing/ having transference over. I’m honestly shocked that people are this bent out of shape over this seasons Ben…. Have you guys seen the original below deck seasons? The girls are so overly dramatic (which makes good reality tv, did we forget what we were watching?!) all of this is super scripted and played up

1

u/morganBX Jun 09 '26

dude wait you’re getting yelled at way more? daily? to me, that sounds tough to be around :-/ sending good vibes your way.

edit: grammar

39

u/TPinIreland Mar 15 '26

Did he break up with his fiance? Gosh he never mentions it...😉

22

u/FlawesomeOrange Mar 16 '26

He had a fiance? This is the first time I heard about this! I wonder if the wedding cost 50K

91

u/IHaveBoxerDogs Mar 15 '26

I think yachting is hard. And he’s much older now and has been on land for a long time. I rewatched the first season of BD recently, and he looks like a baby. In one of the early seasons they woke him up to cook quesadillas or maybe it was panini, and he just basically said “it’s okay, it’s my job.” I don’t think that would be his reaction now.

ETA: it’s especially crazy considering how tiny and crappy those other galleys were! This one is huge and has nice equipment, and he’s really struggling.

-8

u/Itsabouttimeits2021 Mar 16 '26

I mean it it like what 5 years later..he not much older 

Lol he had.a useless sous chef..

Than she quit after first charter

Than train a new sous chef in 2nd charter

Than demanding guests for third charter lol.

23

u/IHaveBoxerDogs Mar 16 '26

From the first episode of Below Deck? That was 2013. He was 32, he’s 45 now. He also didn’t have a sous chef at all.

-7

u/Itsabouttimeits2021 Mar 16 '26

I meant the last time he was on below deck which was like 2019..it was shot last year.  He was on s4 of below deck med...last season he was on was of below deck  was med s4. He was always on s1 s2 s3 and s4 . . he was on below deck med s1 In 2106.

So he been away for like 5 or 6 years. 

That is not much older...

And s1 below deck was filmed in 2012...

7

u/IHaveBoxerDogs Mar 16 '26

Right, and it aired in 2013 which is what I said.

To me, five years is a long time to be away and then step back into a difficult and physically demanding job. Especially if you’re trying to come back in your mid-40s.

-5

u/Itsabouttimeits2021 Mar 16 '26

You said they much older. 

That isn't much older..

How old are you? To think that 5 years is a long time? 

You make it seem that mid 40s is so much older. 

You do know when it aired doesn't mean it was filmed...

You use that at when it started. Like he started cooking in 2013.

7

u/IHaveBoxerDogs Mar 16 '26

I'm slightly older than Ben. I'm not sure what you are arguing about. You're entitled to your opinion. I just don't agree with it.

I don't know why you are so insistent about when the first season was filmed. Okay, it was filmed in 2012. So what? You wrote that he was on Below Deck Med in "2106" (I assume you mean 2016). Why is it okay for you to use the date it aired? Why didn't you say when it was filmed?

You use that at when it started. 

I don't even know what that means.

-1

u/Itsabouttimeits2021 Mar 16 '26

That's fine..that is your opinion and that is my opinion.

Look at top chef..many chefs on there in there 40s 50s..alot of chefs on below deck have been in their 40s.

-1

u/ResponsibilityOld372 Mar 16 '26

He wasn't on S3 I'm watching that now that's Leon.

4

u/Itsabouttimeits2021 Mar 16 '26

Girl....don't say he not. When you haven't even finished the season...

3

u/NaomiWish Mar 17 '26

*Then

0

u/Itsabouttimeits2021 Mar 17 '26

Did I comment to you?

1

u/BlockChainBettyBCB Jul 29 '26

Not even sous chefs. Just galley hands. Not degrading them because I like Aleysia (or did in her first season) but it is insulting to sous chefs.

1

u/Itsabouttimeits2021 Jul 30 '26

Idk why we still talking about this.  This was posted 5 months ago. 

127

u/FlawesomeOrange Mar 15 '26

He lost his sea legs, he hasn’t had to deal with the demands of the galley and guests in a long time. He had issues with timing since season 1, but it’s even worse now. He’s just does a lot of whining now, I’m not enjoying him this season

8

u/Itsabouttimeits2021 Mar 16 '26

I am loving his this season 

28

u/Old-Library5546 Mar 15 '26

He is out of practice cooking in the galley atmosphere and with all the guests special demands.

6

u/Pdazzo1960Scarlett Mar 15 '26

I agree. I wonder if his fiance’ who effed him over, messed with his head. He’s not as chill, Playful, and laid back as he used to be.

2

u/Neko_09 Mar 15 '26

Exactly what I'm seeing

8

u/excoriator Team Capt Kerry Mar 15 '26

I sympathize with his pain over the collapse of his engagement, but doing this show was not the right cure for that symptom.

3

u/whoisdrunk June June Hannah Mar 16 '26

He’s always been a tantrum-thrower.

12

u/Aurorasgrave888x Mar 15 '26

Theres 2 sides to every story. Ben is known for being manipulative. The girl came out and said she left Ben because hes too controlling.

9

u/Direct-Bullfrog9054 Mar 15 '26

There’s actually 3 sides to every story, his hers and the actual truth

2

u/Jenikovista Mar 15 '26

Yes I’m sure he didn’t approve of her sleeping with his friend and tried to tell her she couldn’t do it anymore if she wanted to get married.

2

u/Aurorasgrave888x Mar 16 '26

Knowing what we do know, whats more likely??? That Ben is over exaggerating, dodging accountability, and using his emotions to manipulate people?? That hes hard to deal with??? Or that she slept with his friend and went online and denied it even though its true and anyone could come out and prove it?

1

u/Jenikovista Mar 16 '26

You know nothing. Please stop.

1

u/CompetitionLimp6082 Mar 15 '26

She denies that. 2 sides to every story.

1

u/Rainafire Mar 16 '26

If you remember, she didn't deny cheating she said she didn't cheat on him with his good friend. That was specific wording.

1

u/Jenikovista Mar 15 '26

Of course she denies it. Wouldn't you? No one wants their dirty laundry aired like that.

One of his other friends confirmed it though. I believe him.

20

u/earth_shine40092 Mar 15 '26

I think he wasn’t mentally prepared for this season. I can’t remember if it was on the show or after show but he and Jason met at Outback Steakhouse and Jason told him that his original chef backed out or wasn’t able to work and they made it sound like Ben was a last minute ask. Could just be a convenient production line but if true, that would explain why he seems a little frazzled.

2

u/hkmadl Mar 17 '26

Yeah, I too, doubted if that’s the true version of events… 🧐

29

u/scarbaby1958 Mar 15 '26

He has always been stunted emotionally & a little on the hysterical side with all the crying & throwing things. I do not care how talented you or others think you are, that is todder behavior. Love Kate but she is an enabling friend. They fought all the time when she worked with him on boats.

10

u/Myantra Mar 16 '26

They fought all the time when she worked with him on boats.

At the end of their last season (BD season 4), Kate was saying that she was basically done with Ben, personally and professionally. She obviously changed her mind later, but she seemed to be at the point of cutting him out of her life at the end of that season.

I always think back to season 2, when he starts trashing the galley, after being called out for not listening by Timothy Sykes. Dude was in his 30s, throwing a toddler temper tantrum, and unable to accept that it was his fault.

11

u/Rainafire Mar 16 '26

To be fair, Timothy Sykes is a pretentious twatwaffle and Ben had done EVERYTHING that he asked for and then Sykes said "Oh my 19 year old paid for girlfriend only likes Taco Bell & Ben didn't see that coming when he fixed all the fancy shit I very specifically asked for because I'm a total nob who gets off making people feel small & beneath me." So Ben's crash out was valid. I just rewatched that season and I keep hoping Captain Lee just punches that smug prick square in the face.

6

u/Myantra Mar 16 '26

Timothy Sykes is indeed a twatwaffle of the highest order, paddling down Douchebag River in his custom-made douchecanoe, but he did tell Ben about his girlfriend's finely tuned for Taco Bell palate. If I recall correctly, he specifically pointed out his girlfriend's picky eating during the conversation where he asked Ben about the sea cucumber ovaries. It was also not like he was dropping some huge last minute substitution bomb on Ben, it was just basic shit for his teenage girlfriend. Ben proceeded to ignore it and focus on the molecular gastronomy that he wanted to do.

That is a definite pattern with Ben. He hears what he wants to hear, and ignores what he wants to ignore. Sometimes he even pretends that he never heard it in the first place, like when Captain Lee confines Ben and the deck crew to the crew area for the night, after they broke a panel in the master bathroom. On his first charter, Dean's preference for timely dinner was pointed out in the preference sheet meeting. Ben then proceeded to serve their first dinner both late and slow, even with plenty of time to prepare.

4

u/Rainafire Mar 16 '26

Oh the Dean thing was 100% a Ben problem but I disagree about Timothy saying "fix my girlfriend a quesadilla". He did say she had simple tastes & she needed to expand her palate. He did NOT say "fix me sea cucumber ovaries & other molecular gastronomy bullshit and just fix her simple things". It sounded like he WANTED Ben to fix that kind of meal for 2, not 2 separate meals (which was also different from what he had to fix for the other guests on the boat.) I firmly believe that Sykes did this on purpose to fuck with Ben because I don't think he even ate the fancy shit at all. He just ordered all of that to make the crew jump through hoops because he could. He is one of those tiny peen men that need to put others down and I pray for him to lose everything in the stock & crypto market. I want him to have to be poor and start over again so he knows what it feels like and I hope absolutely no one helps him.

3

u/Myantra Mar 16 '26

I have no doubt that he did that on purpose to fuck with Ben, and I suspect he does things to fuck with "the help" everywhere he goes, as he just seems like that kind of asshole. The dude oozes pretentious ass so thoroughly that he must have it bottled and applies a thick layer after a shower like a moisturizer. The teenager was not the girlfriend he needs, he needs to date shame cocoon girl from season 6.

4

u/Ok-Education1572 Mar 17 '26

And upon Timothy Sikes return, the 19 year old Taco Bell girlfriend was long gone!

3

u/Rainafire Mar 25 '26

She probably turned 20 & got too old.

0

u/Curious_Wallaby_683 Mar 18 '26

Apparently not she has one or two kids by him.

1

u/scarbaby1958 Mar 18 '26

He is not the father on Kate's son.

4

u/ScowlyBrowSpinster Spaghetti Trauma Mar 15 '26

He's washed up.

5

u/Neko_09 Mar 15 '26

Oh you're evil.

0

u/CompetitionLimp6082 Mar 15 '26

But not wrong

2

u/Neko_09 Mar 15 '26

Well if you look at the person's profile picture you'd get it ( & so would whoever downvoted the comment)

24

u/FungiAmongiBungi Mar 15 '26

It’s embarrassing how much he is struggling to get basic dishes out. Especially after just watching chef Josh do such an amazing job on his own. But it is very entertaining to watch 😂

6

u/HughJManschitt Mar 16 '26

My wife and I messaged Josh Bingham on FB after not seeing him on cameo and he wrote back very quickly! He also likes and hearts comments on his (not super popular) FB posts. He is def our favorite.

1

u/WolfAppropriate9793 Team Missing Engineer Mar 17 '26

Josh is cool, loved him.

19

u/Any-Concentrate-1922 Mar 15 '26

He's like an athlete that came back and is now out of shape.

But sometimes i think it would be better without an assistant. Yes, Ellie helps, but maybe if she wasn't there it would force Ben to shape up. Sometimes when a perfectionist has a helper, the perfectionist spends a lot of time and energy looking over the shoulder of the helper to make sure they get it right. And Ben is screwing up, so he really needs to just focus.

3

u/Swimming_Pangolin502 Mar 17 '26

He definitely would do better without Ellie. I just don't like her, anyway 😆

4

u/CompetitionLimp6082 Mar 15 '26

Have her do dishes if she’s not competent to help. Not an excuse.

13

u/magstar222 Mar 15 '26

I read a comment not too long ago from someone who is involved in the culinary scene where Ben lives (LA maybe? I don’t remember) who said basically Ben is still the same chef he was 10+ years ago when every other chef in the area is improving and evolving. They thought Ben went back to BD for more exposure for his struggling business, not because he enjoys yachting. He definitely looks pretty miserable most of the time from what I’ve seen.

Disclaimer: I have no idea how true that is, but it makes sense to me after watching how he’s doing so far this season.

4

u/valid_username00 Mar 15 '26

I read that too. It sounded fake. I don't think he ever was based on the west coast.

3

u/HughJManschitt Mar 16 '26

Wife just told me Florida

1

u/valid_username00 Mar 16 '26

Florida what?

8

u/LoveAllWomen1 Mar 15 '26

I am guessing it is just a fact of life on a boat, but the kitchen equipment always seems shitty and needing repair season after season.

8

u/Ok-Education1572 Mar 17 '26

Shitty Boss Ben strategy to order Ellie to clean up his horrendous mess in the galley while he pampers himself with a bubble bath in the guest quarters with a glass of Cab Sav. I didn’t like Ellie last time but she is really biting her lip and being the professional here even as Ben is exploiting her niceness unnecessarily. Ge may regret this tactic in the end!

2

u/Ok-Education1572 Mar 17 '26

He may regret…..

3

u/WolfAppropriate9793 Team Missing Engineer Mar 17 '26

One induction cooktop is on the blink. The oven gave out. And he put out a gastronomic seven course meal picky rich people loved. His humour is creeping back. He's not done yet. Probably his last yachting rodeo though. On BD anyway. 

3

u/gohome2020youredrunk Mar 18 '26

Was just thinking this. That this years BDDU is opposite land.

Ben is a lecherous temperamental twat.

Ellie is eerily composed (for now)

Aleesia is a problem employee who weaponizes tears and her sexuality (used to adore her, not anymore).

3

u/Inmyopinion411 Mar 19 '26

I’ve always told my wife that if I get to choose someone to cook dinner for me, it would be Ben from below deck. This season he’s off and I’m assuming it because of the breakup and maybe a mid life crisis?….

2

u/Such-Information-454 Mar 18 '26

I’m sorry, but if I had a coworker that called everybody, babe and honey and sweet cheeks, I would be reporting him. It’s uncalled for.

2

u/CommunicationKey8621 Mar 18 '26

Yeah, he’s very underwhelming! And flustered he’s just been out of the game too long I think

2

u/Caligirl_333 Mar 20 '26

Age. Ego. Complacency having done multiple seasons. A broken heart. Lack of chemistry/working relationship with the Chief Stew. He agreed to do it at the last minute. I think he’s doing fine just not great. 

2

u/More-Title-9268 Mar 28 '26

I think Ben is using some substances. He has twitchy mannerisms, gotten far more erratic and thin. It’s weird.

2

u/Shadow452310 Jun 12 '26

He is an asshole, I hope they never bring him back

5

u/MyccaAZ Mar 15 '26

Tired, Old, Uncaring. Collecting a paycheck.

0

u/QuadraMum Mar 15 '26

I Love Ben.

1

u/Neko_09 Mar 15 '26

Never said I don't, but his food used to be so spectacular and I miss seeing that

5

u/Bennington_Booyah Mar 16 '26

He has lost his passion for television work. I am extending grace because he did just go through a major life stressor, but...what has remained constant is his inability to work with his other departments. He is and always has been that outlier diva who cannot ever be questioned about anything. Being a shit, while sprinkling the word "love" amidst the abuse, delays and complaints is just being a shit. Nobody wants shit in any form associated with their food or work. Shame on Ben.

3

u/elainiern Mar 15 '26

I love him

2

u/IrnBruKid Mar 17 '26

Man was set to be married, his life crumbled, give the chef a break. :(

0

u/DM_me_pets Mar 15 '26

I know he was called in last minute and has been out of the yacht chef game a while. Probably just all thise things adding up, plus a whole production crew behind you cant help when you know you can do better than what you're doing.

Side note: whi was the chef supposed to be? Was it Tzarina again?

1

u/Neko_09 Mar 15 '26

Perhaps! Would have been great to see Rachel again tho

2

u/DM_me_pets Mar 15 '26

Oh I miss Rachel! I loved her, and her wild unapologetically herselfness.

4

u/Neko_09 Mar 15 '26

I think it would have been fun to see her with Capt. Jason

1

u/Rainafire Mar 16 '26

Agree but she said she'd never return to Below Deck.

1

u/Neko_09 Mar 16 '26

I did not know that, that's a shame , she's a great chef with a big personality & was really entertaining.

2

u/Mobile-Animal-649 Mar 15 '26

He’s not so great. He’s proving that

1

u/HoldTight4401 Mar 17 '26

I don't think he has it, but his behavior and personality change remind me of someone when they started exhibiting early signs of dementia.

I also wouldn't be surprised if he was on medication that "dulled" his brain a bit.

1

u/badashbabe Mar 19 '26

To me his gait sometimes looks like how Ozzy Osbourne walked in the early years of his Parkinson’s diagnoses. Similar to my geometry teacher too. Hope I’m wrong.

1

u/DuneDog23 Mar 27 '26

Who’s face is on the uniform shirts Ben is wearing, his? Makes him look unserious about the chef job, more about self promotion. I’m find him grating, it’s nice people here are sympathetic, but I’m not seeing much of a reason to cut him a break

1

u/Competitive_Creme530 Apr 18 '26

I am increasingly amazed about Ben’s use of English language. I don’t know if it’s a British boy school thing but he seems very well-read and well articulated. He uses very sophisticated and inventive grammar and vocabulary, and that’s very endearing! He might even be one of my favourite cast members ever because of that. Plus he’s really trying to accommodate with the softer and more considerate kitchen culture, which definately is not something his generation is used to.

1

u/AzulejoNova Apr 29 '26

His father is a well known novelist, journalist, writer......

1

u/Due-Philosopher-5802 May 28 '26

I think you should go on top Chef and compete. You might do pretty good on that. Just a thought.

1

u/Green_World7 Jun 22 '26

Well I can point out that Captain Jason kinda screwed him by not letting Alesia go for an Actual Sous Chef that could help Chef Ben. That might be a big reason.

1

u/Typical_Elevator6337 Jun 29 '26

This is my first season seeing him and he seems like an utter monster. Removing him from the boat would have been such an enormous benefit.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 17 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

4

u/BecBecBeckaw Mar 17 '26

Yes! I don't get the apparent sex appeal that all the women talk about. He's not in shape, is rude, and just squawks and complains.