Review
Below Deck Down Under season 3’s Tzarina Mace-Ralph has been struggling throughout the current season of the series, and with some major signs pointing toward her being done finished with the show, it’s possible this could be her last season. Tzarina, who first appeared on Below Deck Down Under season 2, has been working hard throughout her time aboard Captain Jason Chambers’ superyacht crew. While this season hasn’t been particularly easy for Tzarina, Below Deck Down Under season 3 has presented the chef with a whole new set of challenges. Tzarina’s time aboard superyacht Katina hasn’t been easy at all.
While Tzarina may be struggling this season, she had a standout first season on Below Deck Down Under season 2. The English chef has been doing her best to create meals that are interesting and unforgettable within the guests’ parameters since her start on the series, which has made it tough to see her sliding to new lows. In her first season on Below Deck Down Under, the crew was able to depend on Chef Tzarina in ways that went above and beyond her role as the chef. While she was capable in the galley, her personality was what shined.
As Below Deck Down Under season 3 got underway, Tzarina became aware that she would have a Sous Chef coming aboard the superyacht this season to help her hold down the fort. While she may not have been prepared to manage the newcomer, Tzarina was happy to have someone who’d be able to support her in the kitchen with things being so fast paced and high pressure. Throughout Below Deck Down Under season 3, however, it’s clear that Tzarina’s struggles staying consistent and managing her direct subordinate have been tougher for her than expected, signaling she may choose to leave.
6 Tzarina Is Coming Off As A Villain
She's Not Explaining Her Behavior Well
Chef Tzarina’s edit on Below Deck Down Under season 3 has been shocking to say the least, as her edit is making her out to be the villain of the crew. While she’s shown moments of vulnerability and humor in past seasons, this time, Below Deck seems to be highlighting her more difficult side. From snapping at crew members to passive-aggressive comments and emotional outbursts in the galley, Tzarina is being framed as unpredictable and difficult to work with. This shift in tone feels intentional, either to show Tzarina’s tougher side or to create a villain edit on screen.
While Tzarina has been doing some damage control on her own, blaming Below Deck Down Under season 3’s showing more on the editing than on her own behavior, she hasn’t really been able to explain why she’s been coming off more villain-like this season. From her behvaior in the galley with both Sous Chefs she’s dealt with to the way she’s isolated herself from the crew outside of tough interactions, Tzarina’s been struggling to find her footing this season, which has resulted in some difficult moments for the Chef. Finding the pressure too hard to overcome, Tzarina’s been struggling all season.
5 Tzarina Had Somewhat Of An Issue With Captain Jason Early In The Season
They Had A Few Tense Moments
From the beginning of Below Deck Down Under season 3, the energy between Chef Tzarina and Captain Jason felt different than it had in the previous season. While the pair had never had a confrontation in the past, it felt possible that things could shift this season quickly. Throughout Below Deck Down Under season 2, Captain Jason and Chef Tzarina had a good rapport, with Jason happy with the way she managed her time in the galley and created innovative dishes for the guests. Moving into Below Deck Down Under season 3, it seemed likely they’d maintain their relationship.
Unfortunately, from early on Below Deck Down Under season 3, Tzarina seemed to struggle with Jason’s behavior. As Tzarina is known for wearing her emotions on her sleeve, she didn’t seem to respond well to Jason’s more hands-off, observational leadership style. Early in the season, Tzarina seemed frustrated by what she felt was a lack of support from the Captain, especially when facing issues in the galley or dealing with demanding charter guests. Unlike previous seasons, Captain Jason’s maintained a professional but detached demeanor toward Tzarina, which likely contributed to her feeling isolated and separate from the rest of the crew.
4 Tzarina Isn't Returning For Season 4
She's Being Replaced With Tenured Chef Ben Robinson
While Below Deck Down Under season 3 is still airing, there’s been some major news about the lineup for the next season of the series. In a recent photo shared by Bravo, it was revealed that though Captain Jason will be back for Below Deck Down Under season 4, some of his highest-ranking crew members won’t be joining the charter season. In the photo, Captain Jason is shown with two high-profile charter guests from The Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City, along with two familiar faces from the Below Deck franchise, signaling a major shift for the Aussie spin-off series.
Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher, originally from Below Deck Down Under, will be joining Captain Jason, along with a highly praised Below Deck chef, Ben Robinson. While Chef Ben hasn’t been working within the franchise for years, he’s returning for a spin on Below Deck Down Under in the next season. With Chef Ben on board, Tzarina will not be returning for the next season of Below Deck Down Under. After her lackluster performance, it’s not necessarily surprising, but it also seems likely that she won’t return in the future at all, not just in the next season of the series.
3 Tzarina's Feud With Lara Rigby Hasn't Been Interesting
She's Not Bringing The Drama
One of the most difficult and disappointing parts of Tzarina’s appearance on Below Deck Down Under season 3 has been the feud between her and Chief Stew Lara Rigby, who’s been holding her own in their season-long tension. Their disagreements have mostly been passive-aggressive exchanges in the galley, but Lara has been open about her difficulties with Tzarina throughout the season, while Tzarina has been trying to keep her feelings to herself more often than not. Instead of giving viewers a storyline to latch onto, the feud often feels like filler, something included more out of obligation than organic drama.
While Tzarina and Lara never seemed to have much chemistry as coworkers, their full-on feud has been a major issue within the crew dynamics. Their personalities clash, but not in a way that’s entertaining for Below Deck Down Under season 3’s viewers. At times, their scenes together come off as awkward, and their arguments are too repetitive for them to feel fun or organic to the show. Overall, it’s clear that Tzarina and Lara don’t get along and don’t want to, but it’s also obvious that pushing their feud all season hasn’t made the show any better for the drama.
2 Tzarina's Not Handling The Bad Publicity Well
She's Been Calling People Out Online
In recent posts, Tzarina has made it abundantly clear that she’s not handling the bad publicity coming from her time on this season of Below Deck Down Under well. While Tzarina has worked hard to ensure that she’s a primary member of the Below Deck Down Under cast in the last two seasons, she hasn’t been able to handle the heat when it comes to criticism. Tzarina’s posts online have shown that she’s struggling to hear the loud wave of critics that have been coming for her, especially when it comes to her feud with Lara.
While Tzarina wasn’t on Below Deck to be criticized, it’s usually a part of the show that’s difficult to escape. Knowing that Tzarina has been struggling isn’t fun, but it’s clear that the backlash against her after having a successful first season on the show is taking a toll on her. Showing herself on social media irritated and on the verge of tears, Tzarina doesn’t seem interested in engaging with the negativity anymore.
1 Tzarina's Looking To Advance Her Career Off Below Deck
She's Over Being On Reality TV
Although it’s not confirmed, it seems likely that Tzarina may want to move away from Below Deck Down Under after this season to move forward in her career outside the show. Knowing that Tzarina is an incredible chef, even though she’s been struggling this season, it’s understandable that she doesn’t want to put all of her eggs into one proverbial basket. Moving away from Below Deck has likely always been her plan, and doing so after a rough season makes sense.
It’s clear that Tzarina has been struggling this season, and knowing that Below Deck Down Under season 3 has been tough for her, it would make complete sense to see her leave the franchise quietly after this season. Though Tzarina’s done a great job in some ways, her showing on Below Deck Down Under season 3 hasn’t been the best. Moving forward could be what’s best for Chef Tzarina after this season.
Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on Bravo.
Source: Below Deck/Instagram
