Ileisha Dell has excelled as a chef since her appearance in Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4. The Below Deck spin-off premiered in 2020 and showcases the lives of a yachting crew living and working aboard a sailing yacht. As one of the newest extensions to the Below Deck franchise, the series came under fire when allegations of sexual misconduct against Gary King were revealed. It’s unclear if there will be a fifth season of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, and if Chef Ileisha will be a returning cast member in the potential new season.

Most of the drama during Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4 surrounded Gary, Daisy Kelliher, and Colin MacRae’s love triangle. While the yachties were stirring up conflict, Chef Ileisha was busy handling business in the galley. Despite not having any experience on the show before Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4, the chef won over her crew and the audience. It’s uncertain if Chef Ileisha will return to the Below Deck franchise, but she’s been keeping herself extremely busy since appearing on the reality yachting show in the meantime.

Ileisha Opened A Restaurant In Australia

Chef Ileisha Has A Pop-Up

Since Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4, Chef Ileisha started a pop-up restaurant. Based in Australia, Dells Mediterranean is hosted by the Below Deck chef and is described as a “summer pop-up” that “bring[s] a taste of the Med to your plate,” per the company’s Instagram. An assortment of Ileisha’s dishes are posted to Dell Med’s Instagram page, highlighting her craftsmanship as a chef. It’s inspiring to see that Ileisha has used her appearance in the Below Deck franchise to advance her culinary career.

Ileisha Attended A Bravo Event

Chef Ileisha Is Still Supporting The Below Deck Franchise

Even though she isn’t currently on a season of Below Deck, Chef Ileisha attended a Bravo event on June 25, 2024. She posed for pictures on her Instagram with former Below Deck season 8 yachtie, Ashling Lorger, Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 2 stew Dani Soares, and Captain Sandy from Below Deck Mediterranean. It was interesting to see Chef Ileisha pose with the Below Deck Med captain, which led fans to speculate that she may replace Chef Johnathan “Jono” Shillingford if he was fired from season 9. “Please tell me you replace [Chef Jono],” one user commented under the post.

Ileisha's Journey On Below Deck

Chef Ileisha Stayed Out Of The Drama

Ileisha was a great chef on Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4. She worked underneath Captain Glenn Shephard on the Parsifal III, having close ties with the Chief Stew, Daisy. While chaos ensued among Daisy, Gary, and Colin, Chef Ileisha knew nothing about their love triangle. Instead of getting involved in the drama, the chef kept to herself and focused on her job. Chef Ileisha told Decider she had “no idea” the three crew members had drama and that she was completely “out of the loop” of all conflicts.

“I am in that galley 20 hours a day. I’m cooking constantly. Unless the gossip comes into the galley, I somehow miss it.”

Will Ileisha Ever Return To Below Deck Sailing Yacht?

Chef Ileisha Should Appear On Below Deck Med

Chef Ileisha should return to Below Deck Sailing Yacht in the future. She performed well and didn’t insert herself into any drama. Chef Ileisha is an unproblematic crew member, and she would aid any team she joins. If she didn’t return to Below Deck Sailing Yacht, she could join the crew of another Below Deck spin-off. After posing for a picture with Captain Sandy at a Bravo event, there was speculation that she could join a future season of Below Deck Med.

The Mediterranean-based series is the first and arguably most successful spin-off from the franchise, and Ileisha could show off her talents as a chef working for Captain Sandy. She specializes in Mediterranean food with her business, Dells Med, which is quite a coincidence. If Below Deck Sailing Yacht doesn’t continue after the sexual assault allegations about Gary, Chef Ileisha should continue in the franchise on a different show.

Ileisha hasn’t stopped working as a chef since her stint on Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 4. She opened a pop-up restaurant and has continued to grow in her craft. Chef Ileisha should make a return to the Below Deck franchise in the future, but it’s unclear what her fate with the franchise will look like.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht seasons 1-4 are available to stream on Peacock.