Below Deck: Why Chef Rachel Demanded ‘Silent Galley’ For Last Charter Meal

Chef Rachel Hargrove from Below Deck season 9 is knocking it out of the park, but the final charter’s last dinner turned out to be the most stressful one, and Rachel demanded that her galley be absolutely silent. This season, Rachel impressed guests and Captain Lee Rosbach with her cooking skills. Some of her memorable efforts included a Japanese tasting menu and tender Wagyu steak. Guests often invite Captain Lee to dine with them, and he commended Rachel’s creativity, saying he never had the same meal twice.

Fans were also impressed with how Rachel kept her cool this season. In season 8, Rachel stormed off the boat after getting heated over a charter guest’s picky preference sheet. This season, she had to deal with all sorts of wild demands, such as one guest who had to have all her food pureed due to her jaw being wired shut. Another charter had guests who had multiple food preferences, such as one not liking pork and another being allergic to dairy. Rachel from Below Deck had to accommodate them and it became challenging at times, but she remained calm.

Towards the end of the charter season, Rachel was understandably very exhausted. Besides charter guests’ meals, she had to make meals for the crew as well, and spend hours prepping. Usually, Rachel is seen in the galley cracking jokes and talking to herself as a way to relieve stress. However, for the last charter dinner, Rachel needed absolute quiet. Rachel told the crew that she was tired and under a lot of pressure, and that would lead to mistakes such as cutting herself or “falling into things.”

Chief stew Heather Chase and Rachel got along famously this season, often dancing together and sharing laughs. However, this time, when Heather checked in on Rachel and asked if she needed anything, Rachel from Below Deck gave her the cold shoulder. The chef just wanted to focus on the food and couldn’t handle any distractions in the galley. In a stressful moment, her dessert didn’t go as planned and her chocolate wasn’t “tempered.” In a frustrated huff, she threw out her attempt but saved the day by making an impromptu Cherries Jubilee.

After the stressful last meal, Rachel apologized to Heather for the icy treatment towards her in the galley. Heather readily accepted her apology, knowing how much pressure a chef is under to put together the perfect meal. A large part of the tip is dependent on the food during a charter, and Rachel had the bulk of the weight on her shoulders. In the end, the guests were more than happy, and the Below Deck crew ended their season on a positive note. While there were some hiccups during the season, the crew earned a whopping total of $147,000 in tips for their hard work.