Kate Chastain and Francesca Rubi Reveal How They Would've Handled the Other's Stew Drama

Kate Chastain and Francesca Rubi finally met — well, virtually — during the December 14 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, and the chief stews didn't waste any time in dishing on all things Below Deck.

With Kate hanging up her epaulets and now watching Below Deck purely as a viewer this season and Francesca having watched Kate on the show before she became chief stew in Season 8, host Andy Cohen wanted to know how they would have handled the other's yacht drama during a round of "How Do You Stew?"

Kate shared how she would have handled the situation with Season 8 stew Elizabeth Frankini, and Francesca explained what she would have done with a crew member like Season 3's Rocky Dakota, which you can check out in the above clip.

When it came to Francesca bursting into tears in front of Captain Lee Rosbach during the first charter of Season 8, Kate actually appreciated that the chief stew got so emotional. "You know, I want to say thank you, because I think over the years, a lot of people don't realize how stressful and how difficult the job is. And there have been many times when I felt that way," Kate shared. "I just felt so bad for you, and I was just glad that it was finally being shown."

"That was a tough one, because I didn't get much sleep that first charter. I didn't eat anything, didn't drink any water," Francesca explained. "But I think it was a positive that it showed the real truth of how busy yachting can be." 

Kate also revealed on WWHL what it's really been like watching Below Deck this season. "I was a little nervous, and I thought when I first watched it that would feel like watching an ex-boyfriend or something," she said. "But actually watching, I'm like, god, I'm so glad I'm not doing that, because it's so much work."

Francesca shared that she watched Kate during her seasons of Below Deck and applauded the former chief stew for how she did her job. "I think Kate's a fantastic chief stew," Francesca said. "She really rocked it."

Kate isn't the only chief stew from the Below Deck universe with whom Francesca has been in touch. Francesca is also friendly with Below Deck Mediterranean chief stew Hannah Ferrier. "She lives in the suburb that I grew up in," Francesca said of Hannah during the WWHL After Show. "She's about 45 minutes away."

After Show: Did Hannah Ferrier Give Francesca Rubi Any Advice?

Francesca also said that she and Hannah "spoke a little bit" about her joining Below Deck. "She didn't give me too much advice. I think I wanted to do it my own sort of way and not have that influence," Francesca explained. "But she's lovely."

Even though Kate is no longer on Below Deck, she and Captain Lee have still kept in touch. In fact, Kate said during the WWHL After Show that she heard from Captain Lee while he was away for the Season 8 charter season, and he would just be "checking in" on his friend.

But the crew member Kate has especially enjoyed watching this season of Below Deck is Eddie Lucas, whom she previously worked with in Seasons 2 and 3. "You know, I'm really enjoying watching his progress into the grumpy old man stage," Kate said during the WWHL After Show. "Like, this year, his default setting is already like, 'Ugh, kids these days!' And it's, like, cute."

Want more Below Deck? New episodes air every Monday at 9/8c or catch up on this season through the Bravo app.

Watch Captain Lee and Eddie dish on Kate and other Below Deck alums in the below video exclusive to Bravo Insider.

Captain Lee and Eddie Lucas Reveal Which Crew Member Is a Perfect Love Match for Kate Chastain