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Elena “Ellie” Dubaich is charting a new course in Season 4 of Below Deck Down Under. Initially brought on board to serve under Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher, Dubaich found herself stepping into a new role as Galley Hand following a fallout between Chef Ben Robinson and his original sous chef, Alesia Harris. Fortunately for Captain Jason Chambers, Dubaich was eager to assist wherever needed to ensure the smooth running of the M/Y Katina during the charter season. Reflecting on her previous experience on Below Deck Mediterranean, Dubaich stated, “People thought I was all about rank and on a power trip, but that’s not true. I just want to do a good job, no matter what role I’m in.”
From the outset, Dubaich and Robinson formed a strong working relationship, which came as a pleasant surprise to the crew. To prevent any similar issues, Dubaich sought to understand what had gone wrong between Robinson and Harris. “It seemed like a personality clash,” she noted, soon discovering that Robinson’s main grievance was Harris’s reluctance to seek clarification on instructions. “He was most frustrated that Alesia never asked questions to confirm or clarify his directions,” Dubaich explained.
Determined to demonstrate her personal growth, Dubaich relished the opportunity to test herself again. “I’ve come so far as a person,” she shared. “It was great to challenge myself anew.” Her journey in the galley inspired her to attend culinary school to deepen her culinary knowledge. “I’m now trained in fine dining and saving up to specialize in pastry,” Dubaich revealed. “None of this would be possible without taking on this role.”
In a Zoom interview with Decider, Dubaich opened up about adapting to her new responsibilities in the charter season and hinted at an upcoming confrontation with Robinson.
DECIDER: Ellie, what motivated you to return for another stint on Below Deck? Were there any reservations, or did the allure of a different show within the franchise entice you?
ELENA “ELLIE” DUBAICH: I did not have time to think. I was on the treadmill trying to get my steps in. It was 7PM. I got the call. They were’re like: “Hey, what are you doing? Can you pack your bags and fly tomorrow? The season started. This girl left. We need you ASAP.” I nearly fell off the treadmill. I was like: “Hold on a goddamn minute. What’s happening?” They explained the whole situation to me. I was like: “You know what? Let’s go.” I was very excited to have a chance.
How did your experience on Below Deck Down Under differ from your time on Below Deck Med?
There is no comparison. Obviously, the different position was a big part of that. I had learned so much from my time on Below Deck Med. I have come so far as a person. It was nice to put myself to the test again and prove to myself that I have grown. I was excited to see a different side of you without the Joe Bradley of it all. I was so glad I would be able to show people who I am as a person outside of a freaking love triangle with Joe [Bradley] and Bri {Mueller]. I’m not a toxic, negative person. I am glad that more of my fun side is being shown this season.
How did working for Captain Jason differ from working for Captain Sandy Yawn?
Captain Sandy and Captain Jason are very similar in terms of being supportive. If you want to talk to them, they’ are there for you. They want to hear you out and give you advice. I’ve noticed with Captain Jason this season that while he did step in several times to help us out, he never guilt tripped us. He essentially said: “Hey, I helped you. We’re a team, but also let’s not do that again.” He was always positive and encouraging.
You had to pivot very quickly from stew to galley hand when you joined the Katina. I imagine that threw you a little bit…
The big misconception about me from my last season on the show is that people thought I was all about rank and on a power trip. That’s just not true. I just want to do a good job. Whatever task it is, I’ll do it. I’ll be a team player. You need a dishwasher? I’m going to be the best dishwasher. If you need me to organize the ship, I want to be the best organizer I can be. I wanted to pull my weight in whichever way I can.
Chef Ben admits that he slid into your DMs before the season begin. Do you remember what his DM said?
Oh, he was just asking if I would like to join him for dinner. We had already met previously at a party and he reached out.
How aware were you of what happened between him and Alesia?
Obviously, I had to ask Ben what happened because starting a new job is already overwhelming. When learned that someone was ready to jump overboard after 48 hours of working with this guy, I felt like I was walking into the lion’s den. I needed to get the low down from Ben, and it sounded like it was a personality clash. The thing he said that bothered him the most about Alesia was the fact that she would never ask him questions to confirm or clarify instructions.
Ben was having some issues in the galley—not enough food being prepped, long time between courses. Did you expect this chaos?
No, not at all. I did not expect him to be this disorganized, but luckily, I’m quite the opposite. You know what’s funny? I’ve watched most of the previous seasons, but I had completely forgotten how Ben was in the galley. I remembered that one scene when he was punching these baking trays. After this season of Below Deck Down Under finished, I went home and rewatched a few episodes with him. Oh my God, he was the same exact guy.
Once you figured out how you could help Ben in the galley, did you feel less intimidated?
I was able to pull my weight in the galley and be an important part of the team, but it had nothing to do with my ability to cook. It had everything to do with my ability to keep the chef calm as much as possible, to keep him on task, and to just keep the environment organized. That is all he really needed to be his best.
Right now, Ben and Daisy are clashing about service. What was it like navigating the dynamic between these two feuding department heads?
Daisy’s and my approach to working with Ben were the complete opposite. Chefs need to be in a calm environment. I brought my energy down to mellow him out, and Daisy would come in and hype him up! I was like, “Daisy, please. I’ve been trying to keep him calm all day. You are ruining it for everybody!” [Laughs] She needed to be a little softer and encouraging in approach.
Well, from the trailer, we see that there’s a point in the season where things get combative between you and Chef Ben. What can you tease about that?
[Laughs] You know, I tried my best to be calm with Ben, but there is only so much a person can take. Ben and I were trapped inside of a pressure cooker of the galley for 16 hours a day. No other department was experiencing that. If you’re on deck or on service, you have a chance to step away from people in your department and work in other areas. Ben and I did not have that same chance. He was driving me crazy [laughs]. I did my best, but at one point, I reached my limit. I was like: “Okay, no, no, no, we’re not doing this anymore.” It’s going to be fun to see how and if we get over that hurdle.
Obviously, this was a new role for you. What did you take away from this experience that you can take to your next yachting gig?
Just to be adaptable. Sometimes opportunities come your way, and you think to yourself, “this has nothing to do with what I’m trying to achieve. This is so random. Why should I even do this?” Then you do it and you realize that “this is the path I was meant to be on the entire time.” I ended up going to culinary school after this season. I graduated, and I’m a Level 4, which is the highest level in the UK. I’m trained in fine dining now, and I’m currently saving up to go back and specialize in pastry. All that would not be happening if I hadn’t taken on this job.
What can you tease about the rest of the season?
This season is only getting started. It’s going to be a roller coaster on so many levels. Every single person has such a strong personality and has something going on. Things will keep escalating from here on out.