Below Deck's Kate Chastain Reveals Surprising Truth About Friendship With Chef Ben Robinson

The longtime co-stars and friends have maintained a close bond despite living in close proximity and past on-screen clashes.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Kate Chastain, a former star of the reality TV show Below Deck, has opened up about her longtime friendship with fellow Below Deck alum Chef Ben Robinson. Despite clashing at times while working together on the show, Chastain and Robinson have remained close friends for over a decade, with Chastain revealing that the "secret" to their friendship is maintaining physical distance between them.

Why it matters

The relationship between Chastain and Robinson provides an interesting look into the dynamics of reality TV co-stars who develop a close personal bond, even when their on-screen interactions may be contentious at times. Their ability to maintain a friendship despite living in close proximity to one another also highlights the importance of setting boundaries in personal relationships.

The details

Chastain and Robinson first worked together on Below Deck Season 4, where they occasionally butted heads in the galley. However, they have stayed in touch over the years and even lived in the same Fort Lauderdale, Florida, building for a time. Chastain has since moved to a new home further north, but the two continue to talk frequently. Chastain has said the key to their friendship is "distance," as they both have "big personalities" that do better with some space. Despite the physical distance, the two remain close, with Chastain even saying Robinson has helped care for her dog and home.

  • Chastain and Robinson first worked together on Below Deck Season 4.
  • In 2021, Chastain revealed she had purchased a condo in the same building as Robinson.
  • Chastain has since moved to a new home further north, where she now lives with her toddler son.

The players

Kate Chastain

A former star of the reality TV show Below Deck, who has maintained a close friendship with her former co-star, Chef Ben Robinson, for over a decade.

Ben Robinson

A chef who appeared on Below Deck alongside Kate Chastain, and has remained close friends with her despite occasional on-screen clashes while working together.

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What they’re saying

“I definitely talk to Ben all the time. I would say that I've learned over the years, the secret to Ben and I's friendship is distance. We just both have big personalities, and we do better when there's enough space that both of our personalities have enough room. But I always love seeing him and we actually talk quite often...from a distance.”

— Kate Chastain (Bravo's The Daily Dish)

“I'm actually pissed off that it's not my child, because I'd like to be a part of that.”

— Ben Robinson (Entertainment Tonight)

The takeaway

The relationship between Kate Chastain and Ben Robinson demonstrates how reality TV co-stars can develop close personal bonds that transcend their on-screen dynamics, even if they occasionally clash while working together. Their ability to maintain a friendship despite physical proximity highlights the importance of setting boundaries in relationships and finding the right balance between closeness and independence.