Meet Alesia Harris: The New Sous Chef on Below Deck Down Under
Alesia Harris made her debut as the sous chef on Below Deck Down Under, stepping in during season 3, episode 6 to replace Anthony Bird, who was dismissed by Captain Jason Chambers. At just 25 years old, this Londoner has a distinctive background, having previously worked as a deck stew and crew chef, but she possesses limited formal culinary training.
Interestingly, Alesia grew up in a nudist colony, a unique upbringing that sets her apart in the yachting world. Her arrival on the luxury yacht Katina was a breath of fresh air, especially for Head Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph, who was eager for a positive change after experiencing ongoing conflicts with her predecessor.
The Transition on Board
Following Anthony’s departure, the atmosphere in the galley aboard the Katina needed rejuvenation. Tzarina was quick to note a significant shift in energy with Alesia on board.
“I feel like I’ve got a firecracker come into my galley. I love the positive energy, I love her attitude. I can work with this,” Chef Tzarina remarked about Alesia’s arrival.
During her initial days on the yacht, Alesia swiftly bonded with her fellow crew members, notably deckhand Johnny Arvanitis. Their connection was highlighted during a crew night out, where they shared an enjoyable evening filled with dancing and camaraderie. However, when Johnny attempted a kiss, Alesia chose to take things slow, indicating she preferred to build a genuine connection first.
Understanding Alesia’s Perspective
In her conversations with the production team, Alesia expressed an attraction to Johnny, particularly appreciating his captivating eyes. However, she made it clear that she values meaningful relationships and believes that true understanding takes time.
The Circumstances Surrounding Anthony’s Dismissal
The tension leading to Anthony’s firing escalated after he secured another job while still employed on the Katina. Captain Jason decided to terminate his contract during season 3, episode 3. This dramatic decision followed several weeks of disputes between Anthony and Tzarina regarding kitchen management and overall responsibilities.
The discord started on their very first day of working together, despite Tzarina delegating more responsibilities to Anthony to ease the friction. Unfortunately, this strategy backfired, and Anthony became frustrated with what he perceived as being unfairly burdened with duties.
“I don’t want to be taken advantage of here. I’m organizing, I’m putting provisions away, I’m doing guest food, crew food, cleaning, the galley — I’m just doing everything,” he expressed to producers during a confessional.
Tzarina also opened up about the challenges of working with Anthony, reflecting on her past experiences as a sous chef and emphasizing the need for humility and hard work in the kitchen.
“I was an arrogant sous chef years ago… He isn’t as good as he thinks,” she commented, highlighting the need for respect and growth in the culinary profession.
The final straw came when Anthony prepared overcooked octopus, leading to its dismissal as unservable. Following this incident, he began reaching out to other chefs looking for job opportunities, prompting Tzarina to alert Captain Jason, who decided that the time had come for Anthony to leave the Katina.
Watch Below Deck Down Under
As the drama unfolds, fans can catch new episodes of Below Deck Down Under this season on Bravo TV, witnessing how Alesia Harris navigates her new role in a challenging environment.