It was never going to be easy replacing the reigning queen of the interior, Kate Chastain. She served as the chief stew on Below Deck from Season 2 through Season 7. Kate was good at her job, respected by Captain Lee Rosbach, and had a snarky sense of humor to top it off. A reality TV legend at this point, clearly, because though she has stepped away from the show and the industry, Kate is still invited to Bravo appearances and asked to share her opinion on all things Below Deck.
Francesca Rubi took over on Season 8. She did her job rather well, but had trouble managing her starry-eyed stew Elizabeth Frankini. As the season abruptly ended due to the pandemic, Francesca headed home to Australia where a ban on international travel was quickly instated as part of the country’s zero-covid policy. Francesca may have not been able to return for Season 9.
Heather Chase was cast as the new chief stew onboard My Seanna. And as the yachting industry is a tight-knit circle, it’s no surprise that she already met Kate and Captain Lee, as well as having some other alum friends.
Kate appeared on Watch What Happens Live October 4th to dish on her replacement. “I actually have met the new chief stew,” Kate told host Andy Cohen in a clip shared on Bravo’s official website, “she’s amazing.”
Kate and Heather met for dinner with Captain Lee and his wife Mary Anne back in August. Captain Lee shared a photo of the group onto Instagram with the caption, “A bit of the past and present, [and] who knows what’s in the future.”
Heather posted the same photo and gushed over her social circle. “Dinner with some of my favorite people,” she wrote.
RELATED: Below Deck Alum Kate Chastain Says Katie Flood’s Mistake Of The Season Is Letting Lexi Wilson “Know She’s Scared Of Her”
But it’s not just the Below Deck captain and former chief stew that approve of Heather. Below Deck Mediterranean alums Alex Radcliffe and Anastasia Surmava are thrilled for their friend being cast.
“So pumped the secret is out that one of my best friends in the yachting world is the chief stew of the new season of [Below Deck]. I can honestly say she’s one of the most genuine/ kind hearted [humans] I know,” Alex wrote on Instagram with a photo of himself and Heather.
The Below Deck Mediterranean Season 4 stew gushed,”my girl is the new chief, [y’all]!” In another post, Anastasia added, “Just look at her!!!! Can’t wait to watch you crush it this season baby!” Chef Rachel Hargrove added to the fanfare and wrote, “Love you [Heather]. So damn proud of you!!!!”
Heather got glowing reviews from the press release as well. The chief stew is described as, “eager to deliver her guests an unforgettable experience, but when one of her stews becomes severely unmotivated, she must hustle to pick up the slack and maintain her five-star service.”
RELATED: Kate Chastain Says “It Would Take A Lot Of Money” For Her To Return To Below Deck
Joining Heather this season is Jessica Albert and Fraser Olender in the interior. Jake Foulger, Rayna Lindsey, and Wes O’Dell will be introduced as the new deck team. Captain Sean Meagher temporarily steps in when Captain Lee was delayed for a medical issue. Rounding out the team is Eddie Lucas, who is returning as first officer.
TELL US-WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OF HEATHER IN THIS NEW SEASON? WILL YOU MISS FRANCESCA? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF KATE’S COMMENTS ABOUT HER?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]