There’s trouble brewing in paradise, and it’s not just the espresso martinis—Below Deck Down Under’s Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph and Chief Stew Lara Rigby are in the midst of a full-blown feud that’s making waves on and off the yacht. The friction between the fiery chef and the Zen-yet-sassy stew is quickly becoming the central storm of the season. With tempers flaring and egos clashing in the galley and beyond, this battle is more than personal—it’s shaking up the entire crew dynamic.
Viewers are no strangers to a bit of yachtie drama, but this particular power struggle feels different—more layered, more intense, and, let’s be honest, more delicious. Tzarina’s emotional transparency and Lara’s snobby smugness make them an oil-and-vinegar duo that refuses to mix. The result is chaos in the crew mess, awkward team meetings, and an undercurrent of tension that could rock the boat harder than a rogue wave.
Clashing Queens of the Aft Deck on BDDU
From Side-Eyes to Full-On Storms
The waves on Below Deck Down Under are rough, but they are nothing compared to the tidal tension brewing between Chef Tzarina and Chief Stew Lara. What began as a few cheeky comments and steely glares in the galley has exploded into a full-blown feud. It’s “Chief vs. Chef: Yacht Edition,” and honestly, it’s the high-seas drama viewers didn’t know they needed.
Their relationship can best be described as “Gordon Ramsay meets a very uncompromising manager.” Tzarina is passionate, expressive, and ready to fight for her galley space, while Lara pushes through conflicts with a practiced smile and a passive-aggressive punch. The only thing missing is an actual food fight on the sundeck—though that can’t be ruled out just yet.
Tzarina and Lara Beneath the Surface
A Galley Cold War Brewing Below Deck
While their current clash may look like just another dose of galley gossip, the tension between Tzarina and Lara has deep roots—and even deeper resentment. These two actually share a history from a previous yacht, where they reportedly got along just fine. However, somewhere between hoisting anchors and managing demanding guests this season, that camaraderie capsized.
Tzarina, ever the emotionally expressive chef, has been vocal about feeling iced out—especially after noticing Lara cozying up to other crew members. Things really boiled over when Tzarina overheard Lara and Sous Chef Below Deck Down Under‘s Alesia Harris talking about her, making her feel like she was on the menu instead of writing it. From there, the vibe shifted from awkward to all-out adversarial.
Below Deck Down Under Crew Caught in the Crossfire
Tension Below Deck, Trouble Above Water
The real victims of the Tzarina-Lara showdown are the other crew members, who are now stuck navigating more than just the Indian Ocean. Captain Jason’s been a little too busy running a tight ship to mediate galley drama, and even the most chilled-out deckhands are starting to feel the tension creeping into their shifts.
As the Below Deck Down Under season sails forward, this feud could either simmer down or explode into full-on yacht mutiny. With friendships fraying and secret alliances forming faster than someone can say “anchors away,” the tension is only heating up. One thing’s for sure: this isn’t just another personality clash—it’s a season-defining storyline.
Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on Bravo.