Chief Stew Daisy Kelliherhas been struggling a bit onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5, but luckily, a few alums could replace her. Daisy has appeared onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtsince season 2, where she rose to fame due to her quick-witted jokes and professional nature. However, her reputation shifted after engaging in a love triangle with formerChief Engineer Colin Macraeand First Officer Gary King in season 4. Now, inBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5, she’s having a tough time.
Daisy and Gary had a confrontation in the premiere episode, where the Irish stew berated the South African yachtie for his lack of support and friendship in the aftermath of her breakup with Colin. Gary admitted in a talking head to having lingering feelings for Daisy, but those have yet to play out in the current season. If Daisy continues to struggle with managing her stews, she may need a replacement. Who could swoop in and save the day?
1Kate Chastain
Below Deck
Kate Chastain was the most beloved Chief Stewever to appear in theBelow Deckfranchise. Serving as Chief Stew for six seasons, Kate was known for her sharp wit balanced with professionalism. Her tenure showcased her as a natural leader who could handle high-pressure situations with humor. She also had a close bond with former Captain Lee Rosbach. Kate’s ability to navigate interpersonal drama with the crew while maintaining high service standards was a hallmark of her leadership.
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Since leavingBelow Deck, Kate has only become more famous, appearing on shows likeBelow Deck Galley TalkandThe Traitors. Her continued engagement with theBelow Deckfranchise as a commentator and her support for current cast members like Daisy makes her an obvious choice. If Daisy were to leave,Kate’s extensive experience and strong fan support would make her a compelling choice to step into the Chief Stew roleonBelow Deck Sailing Yacht.
2Natalya Scudder
Below Deck Mediterranean
Natalya Scudder was better known for the drama in her orbit onBelow Deck Mediterranean, but she could still be a viable replacement option for Daisy onBelow Deck Sailing Yacht. Her work ethic, attention to detail, and passion for service were noticed by Captain Sandy Yawn, who thought she was excellent and irreplaceable. Natalya often tackled challenging guest demands and navigated team dynamics pretty well. Being well-liked by her captain was also a feather in her cap.
Natalya would make a great Chief Stew as long as she wasn’t being constantly antagonized by Kyle.
While her time on the show wasn’t without interpersonal drama—such as her clashes with Tumi Mhlongo—these situations underscored her assertiveness and commitment to high standards. Despite occasional confrontational moments,Natalya usually attempted to maintain professionalism. Natalya wasn’t everyone’s favorite Stew, but she could still fill in for Daisy if necessary. Hopefully, she wouldn’t bring the drama.
3Tumi Mhlongo
Tumi Mhlongo is another viable choice for Daisy’s replacement onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtshould she choose to leave or get fired. Tumi initially gained recognition onBelow Deck Down Underseason 1, where she worked well with belovedChief Stew Aesha Scott. Her ability to remain focused and professional, avoiding unnecessary distractions like workplace romance, set her apart. Bravo later promoted her to Chief Stew onBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 8, a good sign for her place in the franchise.
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Tumi handled tensions with Natalya and faced criticism from Chef Jack Luby, who accused her of not staying on top of things. Despite these challenges, Tumi prevailed. She has the resilience and leadership skills to take over from Daisy should things go awry.Tumi is better known for her squabbles with Kyle Viljoen and NatalyaonBelow Deck Mediterranean, but many of the issues stemmed from Kyle stirring the pot. She’d be fine onBelow Deck Sailing Yacht.
4Xandi Olivier
Xandi Olivier is a wild card, but she shouldn’t be out of the running to replace Daisy onBelow Deck Sailing Yacht. Alongside Chief Stew Fraser Olender, Xandi excelled in her stew role, particularly in housekeeping and table-scaping. Her meticulous attention to detail in maintaining guest cabins and her pretty napkin foldings show her care for guests and presentation.
Xandi’s problems with Barbie largely stemmed from her lack of work ethic and spoiled nature, and Xandi prioritizes professionalism and hard work.
Xandi could get a little catty with Barbie Pascual, but in all fairness, she wasn’t the best worker onBelow Deckseason 11. Unlike some of her colleagues, who were embroiled in disputes, she largely kept her focus on her job, earning respect from Captain Kerry Titheradge and Fraser. Additionally, her sense of humor, like the time she joked about using tip money for therapy, makes her relatable and funny. Xandi’s self-described vampire personality and introverted tendencies allow her to stay focused and be the best leader she can.
5Lucy Edmunds
Below Deck Sailing Yacht
Lucy Edmunds is a forgettable character fromBelow Deck Sailing Yacht, but she still could replace Daisy. She has experience on a sailing yacht and handled challenging situations onboard well. Lucy dealt with an unsavory plumbing incident, not afraid to get her hands dirty to benefit the rest of the crew. Daisy liked Lucy and fellow Stew Mads Herrera because of their teamwork during a tough season.
Before joining the yacht,Lucy had years of hospitality experience, including managing VIP clients as a club manager. Lucy’s humor and humility shone through, always following Daisy’s instructions and showing an eagerness to learn. Daisy’s leadership used to be empathetic and engaging, and Lucy learned from her when she was at her best. Her willingness to learn and grow, combined with her natural interactions with guests and crew, could make her a frontrunner to replace Daisy.
6Aesha Scott
Aesha is one of the best cast membersto enter theBelow Deckfranchise. She’s already made one transition fromBelow Deck Down UndertoBelow Deck Mediterranean, and she could save the day if Daisy can’t last any longer onBelow Deck Sailing Yacht. Captain Sandy praised her ability to maintain a positive attitude and manage effectively under pressure, considering her a champion of the yachting industry. Nobody can match Aesha’s energy, charm, and skill.
Aesha’s warm and approachable personality has won over guests and crew alike. She is known for creating a lively atmosphere, which enhances the overall charter experience. Aesha takes feedback seriously while keeping her cool. Her philosophy of keeping guests entertained, often with humor, makes her an entertaining yet professional Chief Stew. Aesha has already proven herself within theBelow Deckuniverse. Her transition from Second Stew to Chief Stew showcased her growth, and she could knock it out of the park onBelow Deck Sailing Yacht.
7Hannah Ferrier
Hannah Ferrier was a controversial yet popular Chief Stew onBelow Deck Mediterranean, and she deserves the chance to redeem herself by replacing Daisy onBelow Deck Sailing Yacht. She appeared as the Chief Stew in the first five seasons and was an integral part in shaping the show’s identity. Her strengths as a leader included managing a variety of personalities among her interior team and being adaptive depending on the guests. Her wittiness made her a fan favorite, and many were upset when she got fired.
Hannah broke serious rules onBelow Deck Mediterranean, and Captain Sandy had to uphold maritime law.
Hannah’s time onBelow Deck Mediterraneanwas marred by the firing incidentin season 5. Her dismissal due to undeclared Valium and a vape pen, which violated maritime law, was controversial. It briefly made Captain Sandy a villain and divided fans, butCaptain Sandy and Hannah have since made up.
8Faye Clarke
Below Deck Adventure
It would be great to see Faye Clarke again after her time onBelow Deck Adventure, and she could be a viable replacement for Daisy should she departBelow Deck Sailing Yacht. Like Daisy,Faye avoided hierarchical assignments, instead observing each stew’s strengths and weaknesses to determine roles. This approach could work well for the chaotic environment of the Parsifal III, a sailing yacht.
Despite clashing with the deck crew, Faye dealt with disputes pretty well. She navigated conflicts between Oriana Schneps and Kasie Faddah and also became a mediator between deckhands and the chef. Faye worked tirelessly during charters, stepping in to assist with tasks beyond her responsibilities. Her diverse background as a boxer, makeup artist, and world traveler gives her a compelling personality that could keep things interesting onBelow Deck Sailing Yacht.
Daisy was a fan-favorite for a long time, but it could be her time to leaveBelow Deck Sailing Yacht. Luckily, there are plenty of great franchise stews ready to take her place. Hopefully, she gets it together and rises to the occasion.
Below Deck Sailing Yachtairs on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and airs the next day on Peacock.
Cast
Below Deck Sailing Yacht is a spin-off of the Below Deck reality television series. Premiering on Bravo, the show follows the life of a Yacht crew as they attempt to navigate a busy Charter season in which many customers make use of a 177-foot sailing yacht. Over the first three seasons, the yacht has been to Greece, Croatia, and Spain.
