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| Where Is Below Deck Med Chef Joy Lefaucheur Now? From Superyachts to Celebrity Kitchens |
Joy Lefaucheur did not need reality television to prove she could handle pressure. By the time viewers met her on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11, she had already spent years building a reputation in luxury hospitality. Still, her appearance aboard M/Y Akira One introduced her to a much wider audience, and fans quickly took notice of her confidence, quick humour and refusal to sugar-coat her opinions. Now, months after the season aired, many viewers are asking the same question: where is Joy Lefaucheur now?
During her time on Below Deck Mediterranean, Joy stood out almost immediately. While some crew members were busy turning everyday situations into major headaches, she focused on delivering high-quality meals and keeping the galley running smoothly.
Her direct personality occasionally created tension, but it also made her one of the season's most memorable figures. Viewers also enjoyed her friendship with Aesha Scott, which provided some genuinely entertaining moments amid the usual yacht drama.
Long before Bravo cameras started rolling, Joy had already worked her way up through the hospitality industry. Her journey began at just 14 years old when she worked as a dishwasher in a restaurant.
It was hardly the glamorous world of superyachts and celebrity dining she would later enter, but it gave her valuable experience and helped ignite her passion for food.
That passion eventually led her to launch The Taste of Excellence in 2014, a luxury catering company where she serves as President and Executive Chef. Around the same time, she was working as a head bartender in St. Barths.
However, she soon realised she wanted a career that offered more creativity and freedom. Sometimes life's biggest opportunities arrive unexpectedly, and for Joy, that moment came when a yacht chef was unable to continue working during a Mediterranean season.
Stepping into the galley, she spent months learning Moroccan cuisine and discovered a completely new professional path. What started as helping out soon developed into a full-time career as a yacht chef.
Determined to master her craft, Joy pursued formal culinary training at prestigious institutions including École Ducasse and Le Cordon Bleu.
She later joined exploration yacht M/Y Miraggio, where she worked as a yacht chef for four years. Travelling across different countries allowed her to experience a wide range of culinary traditions and techniques, helping shape the distinctive style she is known for today.
Her career continued gathering momentum. Over more than a decade in the superyacht industry, Joy has overseen luxury catering operations around the world and prepared meals for thousands of guests at major international events.
Her impressive portfolio includes work at prestigious fashion showcases and global motorsport events. She has also served as a private chef for internationally recognised figures including Rihanna and Leonardo DiCaprio, proving that her reputation extends far beyond reality television.
In recent years, Joy has increasingly focused on mentoring aspiring chefs. As her profile within the yachting industry grew, she recognised an opportunity to help newcomers enter a profession that can often seem difficult to access.
Through The Taste of Excellence, she now offers guidance, training programmes and educational resources aimed at helping future yacht chefs build successful careers.
Her expertise was further recognised in 2024 when she became a finalist in the prestigious Monaco Superyacht Chef Competition, an achievement that highlighted both her technical skill and creative approach to cooking.
More recently, she has continued participating in industry events, sharing insights and professional advice with fellow culinary professionals.
Outside work, Joy maintains an active social media presence where she shares glimpses of her culinary creations, travel experiences and life aboard luxury yachts.
Her posts often feature elegant French-inspired dishes, behind-the-scenes moments from the hospitality industry and practical career advice for aspiring chefs.
In April 2026, she attended another Superyacht Chef Competition event, where she spoke with respected chef Benjamin Ferrand about the importance of consistency in achieving long-term success.
While her professional life remains highly visible, Joy has become noticeably more private about her personal relationships.
Viewers may remember her involvement in one of Season 11's more talked-about romantic storylines, but these days she appears content to keep that side of her life away from public attention. Instead, she focuses on travel, fitness and discovering new cultures through food.
Based primarily in Cannes, France, Joy continues travelling extensively for work and leisure. Her adventures have taken her to destinations including Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and Miami, Florida, while her social media suggests she remains as passionate as ever about exploring local cuisines and unique dining experiences.
For someone whose career revolves around food, every destination seems to offer a new source of inspiration. Fan reactions to Joy's post-Below Deck Med success have been largely positive, although opinions remain as varied as the dishes she creates.
Many viewers admire how she has transformed years of hard work into a thriving international career. Others continue praising her straightforward personality, arguing that her honesty made her one of the most authentic cast members of the season.
Of course, some viewers still debate her more outspoken moments on board, but even critics generally agree that her professional achievements are difficult to ignore.
Today, Joy Lefaucheur appears to be doing exactly what she loves most: travelling the world, creating exceptional food and helping the next generation of yacht chefs find their footing in a demanding industry.
Reality television may have introduced her to a larger audience, but her success story was already well underway long before she stepped onto Below Deck Mediterranean.
What do you think of Joy's journey since the show? Was she one of Season 11's standout stars, or do you believe her biggest achievements are still yet to come? Let us know your thoughts.