Finally, a sous-chef is joining the Below Deck franchise on Bravo. Cheers to you, Tzarina Mace-Ralph. Two sets of hands will make for lighter work in the galley of Below Deck Down Under (maybe). But who is Anthony Bird, and will his position become the norm for this series?
I hope so, as problems typically transpire in every galley. The affluent charter guests lurking only a few feet away are wealthy and used to the word yes. From dietary concerns to personal preferences that seem picky without a purpose, our nautical chefs are burning out quickly.
Tzarina struggled in Season 2 of BDDU. Anthony might be able to help her out in Season 3. But as the trailer suggests, Anthony and Tzarina will hit rocky waters once Season 3 sets sail. Before this mess unfolds, let us first dive into all things Anthony, which might help us predict how he will present on Bravo.
Anthony Bird has a solid resume
Working as a chef on a superyacht is not a gig for the faint of heart. The kitchen, aka the galley, is nowhere near the size of what a typical chef might find on land. Likewise, the demands and behaviors of their guests are all over the map. Partner this with changing palates every time the yacht turns over, and you have the recipe for a ship-sh*t show on Bravo.
However, we already know how Tzarina will present. She is a solid chef who only improved as Season 2 rolled along, coupled with a quick attitude adjustment midway through the season. And now, according to his Bravo bio, we also know that Anthony is coming on board highly skilled, holding 5 years of experience in the yachting industry.
On Instagram, Anthony has posted a few images of his creations. I can not tell you what is on each plate because fancy I am not. However, his dishes look phenomenal, well-plated, and colorful, so he probably knows what he is doing. However, in his Instagram bio, Anthony labels himself a “Sole Yacht Chef,” which might be a foreshadowing uh-oh tease for Season 3, as Anthony will be a sous-chef, not a sole chef, on board.
Oh, Anthony also knows how to bake. On his TikTok account, he posted a reel that includes freshly baked bread, puff pastries, and a dessert that, again, I have no idea what it is, but I know that I would devour it in one sitting. If his dishes taste as good as they look, then his charter guests and Tzarina are lucky.
Fun facts about Anthony Bird
I am a big fan of Bravo’s posted bios right before each new season of BDDU airs. As noted, Anthony is a Sagittarius from London, and he is likely to help us live, laugh, and verbally lunge at our screens at least once or twice in Season 3.
With five years of experience on his resume, Anthony has seen some things during his years spent over international waters. But mainly, his biggest gripe is having “charter guests ordering food all day and all night,” leaving “no rest for the wicked.” For Andrew, this gig is “nonstop, but [he keeps] the energy up” and delivers their incessant asks during charters, he notes.
His favorite place to set sail is “Antigua, which [offers] pure fun, incredible vibe[s], and unforgettable energy both on and off the water.”
When Andrew is off duty, he enjoys watching Below Deck. “It is fun to see the industry from different perspectives,” he suggests. Andrew also digs “Cooking, watching football, enjoying a cheeky pint (and hearty meals) at country pub[s], hiking, Crystal Palace FC matches, and being in nature.”
What does the sneak peek for BDDU Season 3 tease about Anthony Bird?
The BDDU Season 3 sneak peek contains mixed reactions to our first-ever BD sous-chef, Anthony. In his first scene, Anthony smiles, pulling pots and pans out as Tzarina flambés a dish nearby. Next, we see the charter guests giving Tzarina and Anthony a standing ovation, clearly pleased with a smokey presentation. Then, the scene shifts again, showing Tzarina and Anthony dancing triumphantly in the galley, making us all believe this combination worked well on BDDU.
But several beats later, everything changes. First, Anthony appears, sharpening his knives. In the background, we hear his voice narrating, “You need to utilize me a little bit more.” Then, Tzarina appears at his side, asking him to lower his defense mechanisms in the galley.
In response, a frustrated Anthony explains to Tzarina that he does not get defensive. Tzarina then notes that Anthony thinks he is better than her. Finally, we see Captain Jason Chambers entering the galley, telling his chefs that if they cannot control themselves, he will have to step in and handle things as he sees fit (basically).
At the end of the Season 3 sneak peek, a firing transpires. Anthony is likely safe, but Tzarina appears in this clip, joined in the wheelhouse by the new Bosun and Chief Stew. If Tzarina gets axed, Anthony might be able to snag his desired “Sole Yacht Chef” title. But, I would not stake any money on this theory, as Captain Jason harbored a soft spot for Tzarina in Season 2, so she might not be the one getting sent home early this season on BDDU.
Below Deck Down Under is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WILL YOU BE WATCHING BDDU SEASON 3? DO YOU SEE ANTHONY BEING HELPFUL IN THE GALLEY? SHOULD OTHER SPIN-OFFS ADD SOUS-CHEFS AS WELL?