Below Deck Down Under: Lara Rigby Is A Better Chief Stew Than Aesha Scott (Will She Replace Her For Good?)
There's a new chief stew in town (or rather, onboard) for Below Deck Down Underseason 3, which just began airing on Bravo, and Lara Rigby is giving Aesha Scott a run for her money. Lara might not be as beloved as former Chief Stew (and Below Deck mainstay), Aesha. However, in just two episodes, Lara's already proving herself to be a leader in ways that Aesha never could.
It's Lara's first season on the adventure-filled reality TV show, but it's not her first time on a yacht. According to Lara's official Bravo bio, the UK native has 14 years of yachting experience under her belt, while according to Aesha's official Bravo bio, she only has eight years of experience. However, this may not have been updated recently, since Aesha is not currently appearing on a Bravo show. Aesha last appeared on Below Deck Mediterranean season 9, which aired late last year, and she's expected to return for season 10.
Lara Wants To Be Looked At As A Boss Not Just A Friend
Lara Takes Her Work Seriously
After appearing in many iterations of Below Deck, Aesha has become a fan-favorite. That's because of her effervescent attitude, over-the-top laugh and her chummy relationships with many of the crew members. Aesha is light and breezy, and while she's fun to watch, it can sometimes feel like she's not tough enough as a boss to lead the interior crew.
Lara, on the other hand, has taken some cues from the Hannah Ferrier Chief Stew playbook: She's a bit more icy on the outside, and she cares more about the quality of work and the five-star experience for the guests than making friends. Lara isn't trying to be everyone's bestie the way Aesha sometimes came across. She's here to get the job done and impress the guests, as well as Captain Jason Chambers, with her meticulous performance as chief stew.
Lara Isn't Afraid To Stand Up To Crew Members
Lara Claps Back At Friend And Chef Tzarina
On the first episode of Below Deck Down Under season 3, which filmed in the Seychelles, viewers meet Lara for the first time and find out that she and Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph actually worked together on a previous boat. They had a few hiccups during their time working together, which they don't elaborate on. Tzarina wants to room with Lara because "Lara's the cool girl." Lara said:
"I'm like Barbie and she's like Weird Barbie."
However, when a power struggle erupts during the boat's first dinner service, Lara sticks up for herself and calls out Chef Tzarina on her mishandling of cutlery instructions for each course. When Tzarina suggests that Lara simply take spoons up with another soup course, Lara responds that it isn't "proper service" and refuses to budge on lowering the standard of quality for the guests. Lara is a pro and makes sure the guest experience is the highest priority, rather than cutting corners.
Lara Will Likely Replace Aesha For Good
Aesha Is Unlikely To Return To Below Deck Down Under
With Aesha jumping ship and appearing on Below Deck Mediterranean, it's unlikely she'll return to Below Deck Down Under, as the shooting schedule would prohibit her from doing so. Below Deck Mediterranean has also been on the air for longer than Below Deck Down Under. Aesha probably prefers working on a more established show, leaving the chief stew spot open for Lara to continue on the Australian offshoot.
Whether fans warm to Lara the way they did to Aesha as the season progresses remains to be seen. However, so far, Lara has proven her mettle as a leader. It will be exciting watching her as theBelow Deck Down Under season progresses.
Below Deck Down Underairs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo.
Sources:Bravo, Bravo
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