You’d be hard-pressed to find a Bravo fan who doesn’t love Fraser Olender. The Chief Stew is talented, hard-working, funny, and has been a fixture on the Below Deck franchise for the past 5 seasons. After spending his first 4 seasons in the Caribbean, Olender and the flagship show moved to Thailand for a change of scenery. “It was time for something new and fresh,” explained Olender.
At the helm of the Azul V is Captain Kerry Titheradge, who is back for his third season with Olender. Over the course of working together, Olender and Titheradge have become quite a dynamic duo. “He loves to have a laugh, but he knows when to get serious and to work,” said Olender. “We’re very similar on that front.” Together, Olender and Titheradge and returning stew Rainbeau de Roos are guiding a new group of yachties, including Bosun Alex Wright and Chef Moe Vilomar, as they find their way in the beloved franchise.
Olender was thrilled to have de Roos back for her sophomore season. “I knew that there were things that Rainbeau needed to work on, but ultimately she’s an incredible stewardess,” said Olender. “I trusted her from the get-go, so I was very pleased to have her.” After working together on the previous season, Olender did not hesitate to make de Roos his second stew this time around, much to the disappointment of Rosa Simms-Preston. While Olender acknowledged Simms-Preston’s experience, his heart was set on de Roos. “There was no point at which I was ever gonna have anyone else as my second,” said Olender.
Olender dropped by the Decider studio to talk about the season, dish on the crew dynamics, and reveal his thoughts on one of Bravo’s hottest hookups.
DECIDER: Back again for Season 13, and this time, we’re in Thailand! What did you think about the location shift?
FRASER OLENDER: So excited to be somewhere different. We’ve done the Caribbean for the last four years. This is my fifth season. It was time for something new and fresh. Somewhere I haven’t been before. So yeah, I’m very happy, very happy to be there.
I read that the Azul V has two stew pantries! Did the layout of the yacht set your team up for success, or was the infrastructure a hindrance at times?
The latter. The infrastructure was such a hindrance. The boat this season is very old. Maneuvering was such a struggle for the deck crew as well as for the interior team. We were put through it. I miss the St. David big time.
You and Captain Kerry work really well together! What should every yachtie know about Captain Kerry before working with him for the first time?
Kerry is a good time guy. He loves to have a laugh, but he knows when to get serious and work. We’re very similar on that front. We both love the job and what it brings, but ultimately, we are here to tick the boxes of what needs to be done. We have no problem jumping between those different behaviors.
Moe Vilomar is one of the most exciting Chefs we’ve seen on the Below Deck franchise in a long time. What were your initial impressions of him?
I adored Moe from the get-go. Super, super easygoing. He was calm, collected, funny. I loved his food. I have no notes for Moe.
I was so happy to see Rainbeau back! Did you have any hesitations about working with her again? The chances of having another Solène on board were very slim.
I knew that there were things that Rainbeau needed to work on, but ultimately, she’s an incredible stewardess. I trusted her from the get-go, so I was very pleased to have her, and she did a great job this year.
Did you ever consider making Rosa second stew instead of Rainbeau?
I did not, not for a second. I don’t know what anyone else would have thought. Just because she has experience as a chief does not make her the best second stew for me. I knew what Rainbeau’s capabilities were. There was no point at which I was ever gonna have anyone else as my second.
Do you think Rosa had it out for Rainbeau from the start? She was in tears during that first late shift when Rainbeau gave pretty basic and direct requests.
Yeah, I don’t necessarily think they were destined to be best friends. Their level of communication is just not on par. They were never going to be the best two to have together, which is why I maybe shouldn’t have had them both on lates [the late shift], but you know, what are we going to do about it now?
Interdepartmental conflicts are always going to happen, but what I didn’t like was Rosa whipping Kaylee Brown into a frenzy about Rainbeau with the Matt Fitzpatrick-Buck dinner situation to make it a us vs. her situation. Do you think that was Rosa’s intention, or was she just looking for another vent buddy?
I definitely think Rosa likes to vent, and it’s always great to have someone on the interior who you can talk to. Maybe she’s slightly stirring the pot here, but yeah, it ends up being nothing. So, it’s all a waste of time anyway.
Unfortunately, I can see the writing on the wall when it comes to Matt and Kaylee. Did you think she was moving too fast with Matt?
Without a shadow of a doubt. Kaylee does love that sort of attention, and she likes to fall into something that makes her feel comfortable and adored. That’s what she’s doing here. But yeah, she’s a bit reckless. She’s fun. I always have my youngest child in a season, and I think that is Kaylee this year.
So, is Matt going provide another lesson for Kaylee?
Without spoiling what happens, I think it’s pretty obvious that this is going to be a tough lesson for Kaylee to learn.
Do you think Rainbeau’s intentions towards Matt were indeed just friendly?
I think that Rainbow has no intention of taking anyone’s man or being disloyal to hers. She’s just going about it in a funny way. She was very in love. There was no need for this to be too much of a storyline.
I also really feel for Alex this season because he seems in over his head at times. Were you aware of his struggles to lead on deck?
I really wasn’t aware. You guys see everything; we don’t. We just see our little perspective as we are running around doing our jobs. I had no idea any of this was going on. Something happens very early on in this season in the next few episodes that changes the way we all see Alex for the better. He is such an incredible human being. And I will have his back forever.
I did not care for the mutiny his head deckhand, Matt, is seemingly trying to lead against him! Do you think he was in the right to go to Captain Kerry, or should he have spoken to Alex first?
I don’t think his speaking to Alex would have helped. I think his telling Alex that he wanted his job was just not wise. I do think what he was doing was a bit shady, a bit sneaky, but you know, some people will do what they have to do to get to the top, and this was his method.
At the end of last week’s episode, we see a drunk tourist harass the women as the group heads to dinner. How intense was that situation?
Yeah, it was very scary, and we have to thank Moe for stepping up and protecting us in that moment. Again, we attract a lot of attention when we’re out filming, and it’s not always positive. Much like in the comment section, we have those people in real life, unfortunately. But, you know, we deal with them, we ignore them, and they’re the only ones who end up looking like dicks.
Summer House star Lindsay Hubbard revealed that she and Below Deck Med’s Joe Bradley have been hooking up! What are your thoughts on this duo?
Um, great. I have zero thoughts on it [laughs]. I know Joe just from being in this universe, but I don’t think it’s gone anywhere. So, we can sort of let that die down now, I guess.
Have you heard anything about the upcoming Summer House/ Below Deck Med crossover?
I have not. I’ve been staying out of it for the moment, but I’m sure I’ll hear some good stuff soon.
Lastly, what can you tease about the rest of the season?
There’s a lot going down the rest of the season. There are some unprecedented events; things that I never seen happen on Below Deck before. I know we say that every year, but there is something that happens and is really interestingly dealt with. It’s actually very cool to see happen. I loved it. This season is very different from previous seasons. We’re such a fun, good group of people. It’s probably my favorite season I’ve done yet.
New episodes of Below Deck air Mondays at 8 PM ET on Bravo
