Tzarina Mace-Ralph – Below Deck Down Under

By starrymag | February 24, 2025

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) It was touched on a bit during the show, but how did you get your start working on yachts?

 

A) So, I was always told that to work on a yacht, you had to be seven-star service, and it was really hard, so I just worked my little butt off until I thought I was good enough basically. And six years ago, I landed my first yacht which was a sailing yacht which I would never probably go on again. But, yeah, I realized then I actually probably could’ve started the yachting industry six years before.

 

Q) What initially made you want to be a part of the show?

 

A) In my career I’ve always felt like you should always step up and not step back. So, I started obviously at culinary school then went off to work in restaurants. And then with restaurants I didn’t really spend six months at each restaurant because I wanted to learn every single cuisine. And then I went into private household cheffing then started running a surf retreat where I cooked at that as well which was the best place for me to experiment with food. I basically then went to work with very high-end ski resorts to then become a traveling private chef where my boss had maybe twenty houses and three yachts. And then I traveled with him, and I found when I went on yachts people were like together and had friends and I really wanted that friendship. And so then, yeah, I eventually got onto yachts and then well I’ve been doing this for years now I asked what’s my next big step? Then “Below Deck” came up. So, that was the latest, biggest thing I’ve ever done and then I’m hoping a cooking show will be my next big thing.

 

Q) Have you been a fan of the show, familiar with it before joining?

 

A) Have I become a fan of it? Yes! I love “Below Deck.” My friends and I used to do “Below Deck” weekends. We would wait for the whole season to come out then Friday night to Sunday night we would basically just eat loads and loads of food and have a few drinks and get through a whole season in a long weekend. Like everyone gather at our house for it. We’d have a living room full of people and play “Below Deck” games. So, when I got asked to do it when they found out eventually it was like “Ahhh!”

 

Q) Were there any parts of your life that you seemed off limits to the camera?

 

A) You can’t show your whole life to the world and there’s definitely family ties that I’m not willing to share. Or certain things that happened to me in the past, you know. That might change soon!

 

Q) And this season you’re working with former coworker Lara [Rigby] sharing a cabin together. Did that help or hinder your working relationship and friendship?

 

A) I think sharing a cabin with Lara wasn’t the best idea looking back. But then also thinking about it, I don’t know who else would want to room with a stinky chef who comes in and out of her cabin all hours of the morning. You know, like, at least Lara and I had almost the same working shifts because we worked so hard and did such crazy hours. I just interrupt people’s hours of rest otherwise.

 

Q) You are also working with Captain Jason [Chambers] once again, what is it about his work ethic and leadership that makes him such a great boss?

 

A) I think the fact that Captain Jason is a father really helps him understand all of us. Because I think he looks at us like a loving father. He is just a very understanding man you know.

 

Q) Sous chef Anthony is the first kitchen assistant we had in the “Below Deck” franchise, and he immediately thinks he should be given more responsibility. Did tensions arise from him feeling micromanaged or not utilized enough or because he felt he could run the kitchen better with a touch of ego?

 

A) I think that Anthony just didn’t understand the job role for a sous chef on a 60-meter yacht. Because he comes from over 100 meters it’s a very different concept and idea. So, I think that he was just maybe a little bit naive coming into it and not understanding. But I do fully believe that with every task and anything I tried with him and how I tried to navigate around to make him happy I soon realized he would only be happy if he had my job.

 

Q) The guests often rave about your food, was there a dish or meal you were most proud of serving this season?

 

A) Everything with the provisions was so difficult that it was so hard for me to give what I thought my high standard would be and I would want to give the guests. I think the thing I’m most proud of with the tools I was given what I was to produce for them and my charter guests were so happy I think that’s what I came out the season with.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming this season? We hope you had time to explore the Seychelles.

 

A) I think when we all come together on the nights out and get to be around each other and the music’s playing, you realize you’re all in this together, everyone here is doing something so incredible and putting themselves out there. That there are moments when you’re dancing and having drinks and looking around being like, “You know, we’ve got this, and we’re doing something incredible.”

 

Q) In the previous season we saw a bit of chemistry between you and Culver [Bradbury], have you kept in touch with him since your time working together?

 

A) Yes, I absolutely love Culver. I recently found out his boat is coming into Miami soon so I will definitely be seeing him. Hung out a few times after the show, it’s nothing romantic. I think once a man picks someone else over me, treating him like a younger brother normally is where my brain switches to.

 

Q) What do you want to be sure fans know about you in your time on the show?

 

A) I just feel so lucky that I was even asked back because it is one of those things where I can’t even explain the feeling of being wanted on things so amazing, it’s something you’ve watched for years and have looked up to for so long. You really just feel like you’re a part of something and you’re actually someone now. And especially like I’ve been shoved in the corner all my life and ignored, it’s just been an amazing experience to be honest.

 

 

Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8pm ET/PT on Bravo next day on Peacock