Below Deck’s Captain Lee Criticizes Captain Sandy’s “Never Wake the Chef” Remark
Captain Lee Rosbach reacted to Captain Sandy Yawn’s advice not to wake the chef on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9.
On the Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9 premiere on June 3, second stew Elena Dubaich woke Chef Johnathan Shillingford when the charter guests wanted food late at night and she needed his help.
In the upcoming episode airing on June 10, Captain Sandy Yawn tells her to “never wake the chef” during the crew’s tip meeting when she found out what happened.
Captain Lee Rosbach, the seasoned captain of “Below Deck,” is known for his no-nonsense approach and unwavering commitment to maintaining high standards aboard his yacht. With decades of experience, Captain Lee has earned the respect of his crew and viewers for his firm but fair leadership. He believes in strict adherence to protocol and expects his crew to be ready to address any situation that may arise, including culinary emergencies.
Captain Sandy Yawn, on the other hand, has made a name for herself on “Below Deck Mediterranean” with her more hands-on and empathetic approach. She is known for her supportive leadership style, often stepping in to assist her crew and fostering a more collaborative environment. Captain Sandy’s “never wake the chef” comment reflects her belief in respecting the rest periods of her crew members, particularly the chef, who often works grueling hours to prepare gourmet meals for demanding guests.
The controversy began when Captain Sandy remarked during an episode that the chef should not be woken up, even if guests make late-night food requests. This comment did not sit well with Captain Lee, who took to social media to express his disagreement. In a series of pointed tweets, Captain Lee argued that the primary duty of the crew is to ensure guest satisfaction, even if it means waking up the chef to fulfill a guest’s request. He emphasized that in the luxury yacht industry, the needs and desires of the guests are paramount, and the crew must be prepared to meet those demands at any hour.
Captain Lee’s criticism stems from his belief that a yacht operates 24/7, and every crew member, including the chef, must be available to serve the guests. He contends that while rest is important, the nature of the job requires flexibility and a readiness to go above and beyond to ensure the guests’ experience is exceptional. For Captain Lee, waking the chef to prepare food for guests, even during off-hours, is a small sacrifice in the pursuit of impeccable service.
After watching the show, a Below Deck fan on X wanted to know how Captain Lee Rosbach would’ve handled the situation and asked for his opinion.
“Captain Lee, is it true ‘Never Wake The Chef?’ You, Sir, are our ‘go to’ on all things ‘superyacht’ We love you, Captain Lee!” the fan posted on June 4.
The captain replied a day later saying, “If the guests want it and the stews can’t handle it, of course you wake the chef. So to answer in short, No it’s not true, at least not on my boat.”
Although Captain Lee believed his response was valid, this could be yet another shot at his fellow Below Deck star, since they’ve made it clear that they’re not friends.
Captain Sandy stepped in for Captain Lee while he was on medical leave on Below Deck Season 10, but he was upset when she fired two of the stews when he was away without his knowledge.
Because the captains are in a feud, it’s not surprising to fans that Captain Lee disagrees with Captain Sandy’s rule to “never wake the chef” due to their opposing management styles on the boat.
Viewers might be wondering if things would’ve gone differently on Below Deck Med had Captain Lee been in charge instead of Captain Sandy.
