With her infectious energy, wacky humor, and mouthwatering cuisine, Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph is exactly who you want to see in the galley if you’re a charter guest. Luckily for luxury travelers and Bravo fans everywhere, Mace-Ralph is back for more high seas adventures in Below Deck Down Under Season 3. Though she missed her pal Aesha Scott this time around, Mace-Ralph was pleased to see Captain Jason Chambers at the helm of the 60m luxury motor super yacht Katina. “Captain Jason has become quite a dear friend of mine,” said Mace-Ralph. “I always put pressure on myself because I feel like I have to make him proud.”

It’s a good thing Mace-Ralph had an ally in Captain Jason because she certainly didn’t have one in Sous Chef Anthony Bird, who left the Katina for another job mid-charter. Over the first two charters, the two clashed in the galley. It was clear that the root of their issues was that Bird wasn’t prepared to fulfill the duties required of him onboard a smaller vessel. “I just don’t think this job was the right move for him at this point in his career,” observed Mace-Ralph. “Anthony is an incredible chef, but he’s just got to let his ego go.” Despite Bird’s speaking poorly about her, Mace-Ralph took the high road once again, saying, “He could be something really, really amazing in the future.”

Mace-Ralph has also found herself as odds with Chief Stew Lara Rigby—with whom she previously worked on a different vessel—who has compared her to both “Weird Barbie” and “Vegemite” so far this season . “Lara and I spoke prior to the charter season,” said Mace-Ralph. “I thought I would I have liked another sidekick like Aesha.” While Mace-Ralph couldn’t divulge the source of their issues—we’ll have to tune in to find out—she has taken Rigby’s criticisms with good grace. “I love Vegemite. Captain Jason loves Vegemite. My mum loves Vegemite… I’m okay with it,” laughed Mace-Ralph.

Mace-Ralph hopped on a Zoom to speak with DECIDER about the season so far, her friendship with Deckand Harry Van Vilet, and the next step in her culinary career.

DECIDER: What percentage of you was relieved when Anthony told you that he had another job?

CHEF TZARINA MACE-RALPH: Probably 100% [laughs]. But about five minutes later, the anxiety kicked in. What was going through your mind when he told you he was leaving to go to another job? When he said that he was planning on leaving, I first thought, “okay, that’s a relief.” However, my reaction very quickly just turned to anger when he added, “I’ll stay on for a few extra days to help you out.” I just wanted do it alone then.

I personally didn’t love the way that Anthony was talking about you to other crew members and in his confessionals.

I knew that he would be saying something bad because of his attitude in the kitchen. I don’t think this job was the right move for him at this point in his career. If you google “Sous Chef” and “60 meter yacht,” you’ll see that I was just asking him to do his job duties. Previously, Anthony was the sous chef on boats that were over 100m. On boats that big, you have people cleaning up and stuff, so you can focus solely on the food.

He didn’t understand the job requirements for a smaller yacht because he still is inexperienced. Anthony is an incredible chef, but he’s just got to let his ego go. He could be something really, amazing in the future. He’s just got to go through a lot of spiritual healing first.

I knew Captain Jason was going to have your back, but it was satisfying to see him tell Anthony to leave the galley immediately instead of lingering on for the next charter or two.

It all happened so quick. Captain Jason came down, told him to leave the boat, and that was that. It was very efficient [laughs], but that’s Captain Jason for you.

What’s your favorite thing about working with Captain Jason?

Apart from the good looks? [laughs] Knowing that at any point during the charter season, I can go to him and he never judges me. Captain Jason has become quite a dear friend of mine. He’s got a nice home feeling to me now. I really, really look up to him. I always put pressure on myself because I feel like I have to make him proud. He’s just got an incredible aura about him.

This is the first season of Below Deck Down Under without Aesha Scott, so I’m glad Captain Jason had you! Did you miss working with her?

I speak to Aesha a lot, actually. Without her this season, I did feel like a puppy that is left at home and starts whimpering by the door waiting for their person to come back. [Laugh] I really missed working with her because she’s very much my sort of person. I just feel lucky and honored that I got the pleasure of doing a whole season with her previously.

You might have lost Aesha, but you gained Lara as your Chief Stew. Despite your differences on your previous yacht, you entered this season with a positive attitude about working together. What was your initial reaction when you heard that she was going to be on board?

I was really excited. Lara and I spoke prior to the charter season. It was really, really encouraging. I thought I would I have like another sidekick like Aesha with me.

In her confessionals, she compared you to “Weird Barbie” and “Vegemite.” What did you think of that?

I wasn’t expecting it at all. I’m going to take Weird Barbie as a compliment, even though she might have not meant it as a compliment. I know that I’m weird, and any comparison I can get to a Barbie is pretty cool. As for Vegemite…I love Vegemite. Captain Jason loves Vegemite. My mum loves Vegemite… I’m okay with it.

In the season trailer, it’s clear that you and Lara get into some rough waters. What can you tease about your dynamic as the charter season progresses?

Every department had difficulty managing because the boat was so big. It was difficult. The boat is probably what broke us.

I’m just glad you had your pal Harry back this season.

He brings joy to my heart. If I can’t have Aesha, then Harry is the next best thing. Harry has stayed at my place in America. I see him as my little brother. I think that’s why, when he got injured, I was like, mother’s coming out. I had to comfort my boy.

That is one of the most gruesome injuries I’ve ever seen on the franchise. You were in the galley when it happened?

I remember I was intensely cooking something I couldn’t take my eyes off because of my timings. I heard it on the radio, and I heard Captain Jason tell production that he had to basically go in and rescue Harry. At that moment, I was like, “I can’t do this season without Harry.” I was just panicking up until the minute I saw him. I just clung to him.

You might see Harry as a little brother, but he’s all grown up and getting into a potential boatmance with Bri. What can you tease about their connection?

I really want the audience to see how much of a player my boy is [laughs]. He’s quite a Casanova. Bri is something else. She’s a pure goddess. God spent an extra three days making her. Harry was just very, very lucky.

We’ve seen you accomplish so much on the show. You’re obviously an amazing chef, but what else is left on your career bucket list?

I really want my own cooking show. I’ve put together a business plan and will be meeting soon with a potential investor. I have a good concept in mind. It’s really unique and hopefully a lot of powerful things will come out of it.

What else can you tease about the rest of the season?

So much happens! There is a lot of drama and experiences that I’ve never had before in yachting. This season is The Love Boat as well. So, if the boats are rocking, don’t come a knocking [laughs].

New episodes of Below Deck Down Under air Monday nights at 8/7c on Bravo