Below Deck Down Under Has Made A Major Crew Change, And I Hope The Franchise’s Other Shows Take Note

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After the finale of Below Deck Down Under‘s second season, viewers were uncertain if Captain Jason Chambers would return. This uncertainty stemmed from the sophomore season being marred by allegations of sexual misconduct/assault involving several crew members. However, Bravo opted not to penalize beloved Captain Jason Chambers for events he was not implicated in. As we approach 2025 and Season 3, a significant crew member is joining the team instead.

For the very first time within the “Below Deck” franchise, a sous chef has joined the team to assist the perpetually busy chief cook. This is an impressive step forward, and it’s great that other shows might follow suit.

Who Is Below Deck Down Under’s First Sous Chef?

In the Below Deck franchise, team sizes can vary from one season to another and from one show to another. It’s quite remarkable that after 12 years on television, a sous chef is finally joining the culinary staff for the first time. This new addition, Anthony Bird, was introduced in the premiere episode of Below Deck Down Under Season 3 alongside the latest crew members, such as returning Head Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph and deckhand Harry Van Vliet.

Despite numerous pleas from fans for an additional sous chef to lighten the burden on the overworked and underpaid kitchen staff, Head Chef Mace-Ralph appeared hesitant about the idea. When they first encountered Bird, their initial interaction was rather tense, which wasn’t surprising given the typical drama that surrounds reality TV shows like this one.

Bird believed he was capable of helping during guests’ meals and working in harmony with Mace-Ralph. However, Mace-Ralph had different ideas. To maintain a high-quality guest experience and protect her reputation, she assigned Bird to take care of meal preparation and dishwashing tasks instead, which left the young sous chef feeling upset.

In the first episode back, it’s natural for these skilled chefs to clash heads, but I’m optimistic they’ll find a way to collaborate rather than compete. If they do, they could pave the way for future spin-offs by demonstrating teamwork and support.

Why I Hope The Other Shows In The Below Deck Franchise Follow Suit

Other BD shows might want to think about hiring sous chefs for several reasons. For quite some time, fans of the franchise, including myself, have expressed concerns over the limited assistance provided to the chefs on the super yachts. These chefs are expected to prepare gourmet, multi-course meals daily for guests with diverse tastes and preferences, while also catering to the crew’s needs and maintaining a tidy and organized kitchen. There have been situations where the Head Chef has even been disturbed during their breaks to cook more meals for demanding guests.

One crew member often carries a heavy load of responsibility. On occasion, other team members from inside the ship lend a hand, but their lack of culinary skills can add to the stress. In some cases, this inexperience creates unnecessary drama that may result in the chef being dismissed, as was seen during Season 11 of Below Deck.

Adding an extra kitchen team member could enable the two chefs to share tasks, thereby increasing productivity and allowing them some well-deserved rest. It would also minimize unnecessary conflicts that occasionally arise between the chefs and interior team, as they would require less collaboration with each other.

Moreover, this development brings the possibility of increased intrigue, as viewers witnessed with the first episode of Down Under. Not just conflict between the two chefs, but also an extra character caught up in boat romances and other suspenseful situations. However, having a sous chef could be incredibly beneficial for the reasons stated, and it’s exciting to think that such practices might become standard within this series.

On Monday evenings at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, you can tune in to Bravo to watch the latest episodes of Below Deck Down Under. Alternatively, if you have an active Peacock subscription, you can stream them a day later.

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2025-02-06 01:37