Ep 5. Cool Beans

The episode "Cool Beans" from season 5 of Below Deck follows the crew of the luxury yacht Valor as they set sail to the pristine waters of Saint Martin with a group of high-maintenance guests. Despite the stunning backdrop, tensions run high as some crew members struggle to keep up with the demands of the guests while others struggle to maintain their professionalism.

The episode opens with the crew preparing for their latest charter, which includes a group of six guests with very specific dietary requirements and a demanding attitude. Chief stewardess Kate and interior team member Brianna are tasked with prepping the table for the guests' first meal, which includes a variety of plant-based dishes and homemade nut milk. However, when one of the guests requests a specific brand of almond milk that isn't available on board, tensions start to rise.

Meanwhile, deckhand Bruno struggles to keep up with the demands of his superiors and is given a warning by captain Lee. He confides in his fellow deckhand Chris that he feels like he's not being given a fair chance and is worried about his future on board. Chris tries to give him some words of encouragement, but it remains to be seen whether Bruno will be able to step up his game and prove himself to the crew.

In the galley, chef Matt is feeling the pressure as he tries to cater to the guests' complex dietary needs while also preparing meals for the crew. He's also struggling to deal with his own emotions as he confides in his sous chef Brianna that he misses his girlfriend back home. Despite his personal struggles, he manages to impress the guests with a delicious vegan sushi platter, earning praise from Kate.

As the episode progresses, tensions continue to simmer between certain crew members. Chris and Bruno have an awkward encounter in the laundry room, with Chris calling out Bruno for not pulling his weight. Meanwhile, deckhand Nico tries to smooth things over with stewardess Jen after their argument in the previous episode, but the tension between them is still palpable.

As the charter continues, the crew faces a number of challenges, including broken water sports equipment and a demanding guest who refuses to adhere to the yacht's dress code. The crew members must band together to overcome these obstacles and ensure that the guests have a memorable experience on board.

Overall, "Cool Beans" is a tense and drama-filled episode of Below Deck that showcases the challenges of working in a high-stress and high-pressure environment. With demanding guests, complicated dietary requirements, and personal struggles bubbling to the surface, the crew must work together to ensure that they can handle anything that comes their way.