Below Deck Down Under: Chaos in the Galley & a Low Tip

The galley is in crisis on the latest episode of Below Deck Down Under, and it’s not a matter of seasickness. Chef Ben Robertson is struggling to find his footing, leading to significant delays in service and a palpable tension that threatens the entire charter. The episode, as recapped by Vulture, centers on Ben’s awareness of the kitchen’s shortcomings and his attempts to rectify the situation, but his scattered approach is creating more problems than it solves.

The trouble begins 45 minutes before lunch service, with a guest waiting for a bathing suit and lunch already running 20 minutes behind schedule. Despite second steward Jason Maxwell’s efforts to inject some urgency, Ben is still debating the merits of avocado versus tuna in the wraps. This indecision, coupled with Eddy’s absence, leaves Jason frantically prepping plates in a bid to salvage the situation. Ben, while appreciative of the assist, is visibly embarrassed by the mounting delays. He acknowledges the potential for a poor tip, a consequence he’s determined to avoid.

Daisy Kelliher, the chief stew, bears the brunt of the kitchen’s failings. Venting to João Franco about the lateness, she points out that while Ben prepares the food, she’s the face of service and ultimately responsible for the guest experience. A risky thought crosses her mind: perhaps subtly adjusting the expected dinner time could buy the kitchen some much-needed breathing room. João, meanwhile, advises Eddy to take more initiative when receiving ambiguous instructions. Thankfully, the guests do enjoy the wraps, even if they arrive 45 minutes late, savoring them amidst a chorus of “Mmms” while floating in the ocean.

Ben is determined to redeem himself with dinner, particularly as the charter guests have requested a salt-crusted fish for Christian’s birthday. Fortunately, he receives two strokes of luck: a beautiful red snapper arrives just in time for preparation, and Ellie Layton, the baker, has experience icing cakes from summers spent at her cousin’s dessert shop. Ellie’s enthusiasm is infectious, finding a therapeutic quality in cake decorating. However, Daisy’s relief is tempered by Ben’s ambitious plan to present the fish tableside and dramatically break open the salt crust, adding another layer of potential complication to the service.

Adding to the chaos is Mike Cohen, whose role remains somewhat undefined. He seems to follow his instincts, which often lead him back to his cabin for hair touch-ups. His latest misstep involves dropping his radio in the water, rendering him temporarily incommunicado. Daisy, exasperated, finds him behind the bar after his disappearance and expresses her frustration to João. João is growing increasingly concerned about Mike’s inconsistency and tendency to overstep, and the situation is further complicated by Mike’s awkward attempt to kiss Daisy. The crew is walking a fine line between amusement and exasperation with Mike’s antics.

Despite the mounting pressure, Ben manages to gain the salt-crusted fish in the oven with ample time before dinner. However, a last-minute decision to serve ceviche before the gazpacho throws the timing off again. Jenna MacGillivray efficiently sets the table, and Christian ensures the crew remembers the “Diamonds and Denim” theme, a callback to a previous charter request. As Vulture noted in their recap of the previous episode, the theme initially involved a “country western” horse request that was ultimately reneged.

At 8:02 p.m., the guests are seated, accompanied by a cowboy-hat-wearing Jason. Daisy radios the galley, but the signal is staticky. Upon investigating, she finds Ben and Ellie still plating and urges them to expedite the process, anticipating the swift consumption of the ceviche, served in elegant glasses topped with caviar. The radio issues persist, hindering communication between the galley and Daisy. Frustrated, she instructs Ben to simply start service and resorts to texting him, but even that proves unreliable. She finally barks at him to get the food out, resulting in a crowded galley as the entire service team waits to deliver the plates.

Ellie, feeling like she’s managing Ben rather than assisting him, observes his disorganization and constant distractions. The dynamic is reminiscent of Josh’s focused approach in the last season of Below Deck Mediterranean, where he demanded complete silence in the galley during dinner service. Ben, in contrast, insists on multitasking, inviting chaos into the kitchen. When the fish finally arrives upstairs, it’s 25 minutes after the gazpacho. Ben breaks it open behind the bar, while Jason attempts to keep the guests entertained. Despite the wait, the guests praise the snapper, but Ben, ever optimistic, believes the quality of the food will overshadow the delay.

Ellie’s cake for Christian’s birthday is a success, pleasing Ben. He contrasts this with Alesia’s lack of baking skills. Ellie confides in Daisy that she feels bad about the delays, but Daisy remains unimpressed. Ben has taken the first step toward improvement by acknowledging responsibility, but now needs to translate that into action and a revised plan. Even Captain Glenn Smith sees room for improvement in the galley. Daisy’s placement of comment cards in the cabins foreshadows Annette’s inevitable criticism of the service, despite Christian’s positive assessment.

The comment cards confirm Jason’s worst fears. Several guests rate the “overall experience” three stars, citing the slow service, though one mentions losing Liz in the reefs. The tip reflects the lukewarm feedback: $1,500 each from a $20,000 potential tip. During the crew meeting, Jason encourages Ben to “get his systems right.” Despite Ben’s clear responsibility for the low tip, Mike receives the “reflection helmet” for dropping his radio in the water. Jason seems to be using the helmet more casually this season, as a way to build camaraderie rather than single someone out. Ben, reviewing the cards, is disheartened and decides to skip dinner with the crew, seeking refuge in a guest cabin to regroup.

Jenna is briefly saddened by Ben’s absence, but her disappointment is short-lived, as she and Ellie are both vying for his attention. Earlier, Jenna disapproved of Ellie ordering her to fetch plates, which Ellie dismissed as insecurity. Ellie then strategically positioned herself between Jenna and Ben during drop-off. The dynamic is familiar, and Jenna makes a face as Ellie tells Alesia how easily she connects with Ben. However, Jenna shouldn’t bother, as Ellie’s sights are set on João, whom she describes as a “Viking manly man” and expresses a desire to “merge genetics” with. So far, João has been more of a “gatherer” than a “hunter,” failing to inspire any action on her part. The gender dynamics of Ellie’s desires are questionable, but she’s free to pursue them.

Earlier, on the beach, João predicted that Eddy would continue to pursue Alesia despite her existing relationship. The outcome hinges on whether Alesia will end her long-distance relationship or continue to entertain Eddy’s advances. Alesia admits in a confessional that she’d rather abandon the country than break up with her boyfriend, which is why she ended up in yachting in the first place. However, she’s currently in a relationship and shouldn’t be leading Eddy on. She starts seeking attention from both Eddy and Jenna, kissing Eddy’s cheek and texting him flirtatious messages. As reported by Google News, this love triangle is a central source of drama this season.

Elsewhere, João and Daisy dance together, their connection deepening. João seems to have matured into a responsible and considerate man, though he does accidentally drop Daisy on the dance floor. Mike, still captivated by Ellie’s multilingualism, attempts to impress her with his Spanish skills, resulting in a mortifying peck on the cheek. Ellie dismisses him as “more like my little brother.” She then skips the hot tub, perhaps hoping to avoid further unwanted advances. The remaining crew members play Truth or Dare?, leading to João dancing naked and Daisy kissing him. Jenna is dared to kiss Eddy, and they later create out in his cabin while he holds a Cheez-It. In their cabin, Jenna and Alesia both declare their love for each other and say goodnight. The situation is a complete mess.

What comes next for the crew of Below Deck Down Under remains to be seen, but the focus will undoubtedly be on Ben’s ability to regain control of the galley and improve service. The upcoming charters will likely test his resilience and determine whether he can overcome his current struggles. The interpersonal dramas, particularly the love triangle between Alesia, Eddy, and Jenna, are also poised to escalate, adding another layer of complexity to the already turbulent season.