Does Chef Jono Get Fired From 'Below Deck Med'? Captain Sandy Doubts His Cooking Skills

Bravo's Below Deck has introduced fans to many chefs over its lengthy run. During the show's run, the chefs have come in for a season or two before heading off to a new adventure. While they don't always stay, some Below Deck chefs, like Ben Robinson, Rachel Hargrove, and Adam Glick, have made their time on the show so memorable that fans often ask when they're coming back.

In Season 9 of Below Deck Mediterranean, one chef, Chef Johnathan "Jono" Shillingford, boarded the Mustique looking to make a lasting impression with his crew and, more importantly, Captain Sandy Yawn. Unfortunately, he entered his new job on a rocky start, causing some fans to wonder if his time on the ship ended as quickly as it began.

So, is did Chef Jono get fired on Below Deck Med? Here's what to know.

As of this writing, Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9 hasn't ended yet. The season aired on June 3, 2024, and there's still much more to see between the captains, deckhands, stews, bosuns, and chefs. So, it looks like Chef Jono's job is safe now. However, those watching the show — and even Capt. Sandy — have doubts about how long Jono will be able to stay on board as a chef.

From the beginning, Chef Jono won the crew with his charming personality and confident nature. But his words have apparently been louder than his actions, as Capt. Sandy questioned his ability to perform the tasks of a superyacht chef after two failed charters on the galley. The first occurrence happened during the first charter, when Jono failed to make late-night snack. When Stew Elena Dubaich confronted him about the lack of food after the dinner rush, Jono told Capt. Sandy about Elena's complaints instead of talking it out with his co-worker.

Although Jono was able to keep his job after his and Elena's blowup, his failure to impress one of Captain Sandy's celebrity guests, former tennis star Gigi Fernandez, caused her to question whether he was cut out for the job.

In a Season 9, Ep. 4 clip, Jono cooks a pasta dish for Gigi and her group. While tasting the dish, the tennis champ tells Sandy that Jono has added a spice that Sandy says doesn't "agree with her palette."

The clip also showed Jono realizing he overcooked the dessert cakes he had prepared for the group. Between the dinner and dessert mistakes, and the first charter, Sandy said Jono was on thin ice.

"This is a superyacht," the captain said. "The food shouldn't just be okay. It should be excellent. Jono is 0 for two now."

Sandy further shared with Entertainment Weekly that, although she likes Jono personally, she might have no choice but to let him go professionally due to his lack of culinary experience.

"Sometimes I think people have to stay focused on their job because maybe they don't have the experience they say they do," Sandy said. "I think a lot will be revealed throughout the season. But I like [Chef Jono] personally. He's a great guy."

Below Deck Mediterranean airs new episodes on Bravo on Mondays at 9 p.m. EST.