Chef Ben Robinson is a very polarizing figure in the Below Deck franchise, but love him or hate him, there’s no denying that there was never a dull moment when Ben was around. As Chief Stew Kate Chastain said, “Three things you can count on in life: death, taxes, and Ben getting angry when asked to cook food.” Ben could have a short fuse, but his vulnerability endeared him to viewers. His talent and drive were undeniable, and paired with his sense of humor, he was one of the best chefs in Below Deck history.

Although Ben comes from a privileged background, he worked hard to escape from his family’s shadow and create his success. Ben first appeared in the inaugural season of Below Deck and made history as the franchise’s longest-running chef. His role in the franchise has been extensive; he starred in four seasons of Below Deck and two seasons of the spin-off Below Deck Mediterranean. After leaving his yachting career behind, Ben returned to the network on Below Deck Galley Talk, reuniting with his coworkers to reflect and share his thoughts on the franchise.

Ben Brought Comic Relief To His Below Deck Seasons

He Was One Of The Most Entertaining Below Deck Chefs

Even in the most stressful moments, Ben’s one-liners kept the mood light. Whether he was engaging in banter with the crew or small talk with the guests, his dry British humor and quick wit provided much-needed comic relief. Ben could be dramatic and often gave the crew a hard time, but he still managed to defuse tension with his humor. He and Kate eventually developed a close relationship despite their frequent tiffs, proving Ben’s playful ribbing didn't get in the way of his professional relationships.

Below Deck chefs are in a unique position. They are alone in their department, but their mood can set the tone for the entire crew. This makes the right attitude even more important. Even when Ben had a meltdown, he never took himself too seriously. Ben’s humor made his seasons much more enjoyable and made his absence even more noticeable.

Ben Was One Of The Best Chefs In The Franchise

The Guests Were Always Happy With His Work

Despite his dramatic persona, it’s undeniable that Ben is a talented chef. His food always kept the guests satisfied, which is crucial when it comes to charter yachts. Even the most well-liked chef will be a failure if their culinary skills are not up to par. Ben has years of experience and formal training, which are reflected in his cooking.

Unhappy guests can hurt the entire crew, including the tip at the end of the charter.

With so many things that can go wrong aboard yachts, food should not be one of them. Unhappy guests can hurt the entire crew, including the tip at the end of the charter. Ben’s strongest suit is his reliability, something that is much too rare across the franchise.

Ben Has A Good Rapport With The Network

He Hasn’t Ruled Out A Below Deck Return

Since he left Below Deck, Ben has continued to thrive in the culinary world. He’s shifted his attention to independent ventures, working as a private chef and releasing his cooking content on YouTube. However, Ben left Below Deck on good , which opens the door for a potential return to the franchise.

Ben stepped in midseason to save the day on Below Deck season 3 and Below Deck Med season 4, pulling the team together to finish the charter season strong. Ben’s involvement in Galley Talk proves he remains cordial with Bravo after his departure. And while Ben and Kate had a hot-cold relationship, there is no bad blood between them, as proven by their interactions on Galley Talk. Kate even stated they “fight for fun,” evidenced by Ben’s playful personality.

The fact that Ben had such an extensive history with the franchise without burning any bridges suggests the network would be happy to see his journey continue. His combination of culinary talent and unmatched humor made him one of the best chefs to ever appear on Below Deck. He may have moved on from the franchise, but viewers still hold out hope for the possibility of an eventual return.

Below Deck is available to stream on Peacock.