Below Deck Mediterraneandidn’t just need ChefBen Robinson, Robinson shared that he needed the show as well.
As stewardessAnastasia Surmavafinally decided to step down as temporary chef in last week’s episode, Captain Sandy Yawn had to hire a replacement, which fans later found out would be none other than fan-favorite Chef Ben.
During the after show of Monday night’s episode with Robinson, the chef explained what the moment was like when he received the call to make his return.
Bravo
“I was in a strip club actually — no, no, I’m just kidding,” he joked.
“It was really good timing,” he shared. “I have a catering company, and I don’t think I had a whole lot going on at that point. It was very serendipitous, it was a good thing. It needed to happen.”
Robinson added that he feels best fit to stand in on the show, being that he’s an “actual chef.”
“People call upon me when they’re in a lot of trouble, it’s happened to me a couple of times,” he laughed, adding that as seasoned yacht chef, it made sense to come back.
When Robinson was only 28, he was “the head chef on one of the biggest yachts of the world.”
“So it’s kind of my shtick, you know, I get it,” he told Bravo. “I’m impressed with Anastasia to get it together for three or four charters. I probably didn’t give her as much credit as she deserves.”
Being a part ofBelow Deckis not an easy feat, Robinson added.
“You’ve got to be pretty brave to say ‘Oh yeah, let’s do aBelow Deckseason, let’s just do that shall we?’ It’s the hardest job there is.”
“You’re on your own, you’re in charge of provisioning, budgeting, it’s a tiny little space you have no help. I’m not attributing the failures of the other two chefs either, a good chef will be able to rise above it, but it’s tough, it’s a tough gig,” he added.
However, Robinson’s return toBelowDeckmight be his last, he hinted toPEOPLE in an exclusive interview.
“Ultimately, I’m approaching 40 now. I got into the industry when I was 22, I was a young buck. You can do anything when you’re 22.Below DeckandBelow Deck Mediterraneancarried me through into my mid-30s. I don’t know how Roger Federer does it, to be honest!”
Below DeckMediterraneanairs Mondays (9 p.m. ET) on Bravo.
source: people.com
