"It was not good" - Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 guest Gigi Fernandez reviews Chef Jonathan's food

On Below Deck Mediterranean, season 9 episode 3, the crew was preparing for their second charter. In the previous episode, the Yatch members were successful in impressing their guests and made an unexpectedly high sum in tips. Despite the deckhand and chefs not being satisfied with their first performance, they planned to provide a better experience for their new chief guest, Gigi Fernandez.

However, this time it wasn't the provision issues but chef Jonathan's food that received complaints from the high profile "17-time grand slam doubles champion" primary guest. While Sandy didn't expect this review, Jonathan explained that the pressure got to him. There was no time left to improvise and the damage had already been done. Gigi said:

"These people don't want to complain, but I mean, last night's dinner ... chef's choice and this is what you give us? And when you call something deconstructed, it just means it didn't work out. It was not good."

Below Deck Mediterranean, season 9 episode 3, Drifting Standards, was released exclusively on Bravo TV on Monday, July 17, 2024. The synopsis for the episode reads:

"Captain Sandy welcomes back a charter guest with high expectations; a deckhand and a guest drift too far away at sea, leaving Capt. Sandy questioning her bosun; the primary charter guest complains the food has not met their expectations."

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What went wrong on Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 episode 3?

On Below Deck Mediterranean, season 9 episode 3, Captain Sandy told the crew that the two-time Olympic winner was not just a regular guest but also her friend. Sandy mentioned that the crew will be "challenged" by Gigi's picky choices as her expectations are high due to the previous seven-course meal experience. She prepared everyone, stating:

"I actually had her as a charter client and we became friends after that. I had a great charter with them, and now they're coming back. [Gigi's] expectations are high, I think you'll be challenged. They're used to getting whatever they want when they want it."

Meanwhile, Chef Johnathan "Jono" Shillingford wasn't so sure about his performance. He was under pressure from Sandy's statements and knew he lacked "exposure" when it was time to serve someone who was used to high-end restaurant experiences.

Jono also said that he sometimes forgets he is a chef. The Below Deck Mediterranean star admitted to the cameras:

"I don't know if I really have that much exposure to a group having this much varying preferences. I've never worked at a restaurant. I have an Olympian with high-end taste coming on board. It's a lot of pressure ... Sometimes I don't even feel like a chef, I really do feel like a designer. And then I'm like, 'Oh, I cook.'"

Jono decided to make what he knew best, but Sandy wasn't too thrilled to see chicken being prepared for Gigi, who had "dined in some of the finest restaurants."

Gigi expressed her dislike for the seared tender chicken breasts as the coconut lemon sauce seasoning was too overpowering for her.

Later, the Below Deck Mediterranean chief guest was served a deconstructed sponge cake, which Aesha Scott was not in favor of serving. The next day, Gigi was unimpressed by the cold eggs and spicy lunch, and she was honest with Sandy about her experience.

She said that the other guests were too polite to point out that the meals were average, claiming that her "high standard" wasn't met.

Stream Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 episode 4 on Monday, June 24, 2024, to find out what happens next.