Fraser Olender is revealing new details about his alleged role in Chef Anthony Iracane previously getting fired after their drama reached a boiling point on Below Deck Season 12, Episode 8.
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Dish, Fraser explained that his goal was to not be “reactive” after Anthony continued to blame him for Captain Kerry Titheradge letting him go from St. David in the middle of Season 11. From his perspective, he was simply fulfilling his chief stew duties by being honest with Captain Kerry about his friend’s job performance.
“I think a lot of people are under the impression that I was the reason why Chef Anthony [was fired] last season,” he said. “It’s my job as the chief stew to be the messenger to the captain, to why things aren’t going well, to why the guests are very unhappy and are not leaving us tips. And if I didn’t do that, would I really be a good chief stew? I don’t think so.”
Ultimately, Fraser said he made the decision to be candid with the captain “for the crew” and for the sake of the then-ongoing charter season’s success.
RELATED: Chef Anthony Iracane Has “Questions” for Fraser Olender About His Season 11 Firing (VIDEO)
“I was asked a very honest question — ‘Is chef nailing it?’ — and the answer’s no,” he continued. “I’d like anyone to come up with any sort of evidence of that not being the case. but again, people will come for me regardless.”
The chief stew also pointed out that Captain Kerry rehired Chef Anthony for Season 12 on his recommendation.
“I did bring him back, because I know his passion, I know his skillset, I know he’s fantastic, and more importantly, we work phenomenally well with each other,” Fraser concluded. “I didn’t know coming in that Anthony was having these feelings towards me, but at the end of the day, that’s all personal, and I’m here to do a job. And if he’s not, keep that stuff at the door.”
Fraser Olender sheds new light on Chef Anthony Iracane’s firing
During Episode 8, Chef Anthony had multiple conversations with Rainbeau de Roos on the subject, eventually declaring, “I forgive, but I don’t forget.” To prove she had Fraser’s back “100 percent,” she debriefed her superior while the crew enjoyed a couple days off at a villa on Sint Maarten.
“He got fired last year because he was s–t, not because of me,” Fraser told her.
In a confessional, he elaborated, “Chef got fired because he couldn’t do his job. Enough of this blame game. It was all social media. That just bothers me so much.”
RELATED: Fraser Olender Slams Chef Anthony for Massive Mistake With Charter Guest: “We Look Stupid”
Fraser also further unpacked his Season 11 candor with Captain Kerry about Anthony not considering charter guest preferences and his meals lacking “superior” standards.
“I did not want him to go,” he insisted. “I wanted him to have another chance or have a firm, stern talking to. Next thing I know, he’s packing. Kerry didn’t tell me. But at the end of the day, he is not taking responsibility for not doing his job and for being fired. … If you can’t see your faults, that’s a really big red flag.”
Inside Fraser Olender’s confrontation with Chef Anthony Iracane
After Chef Anthony had a meltdown over most of the St. David crew members relaxing instead of helping him prepare their meal, he admitted in a confessional that there was “a lot of emotion” still lingering between him and Fraser from last season. Anthony also described his bottled-up anger as “growing” to the point he was about to “explode.”
Finally, Fraser went to Anthony’s room to get to the bottom of what was really going on with him, at which point he revealed that Barbara “Barbie” Pascual had informed him that Fraser got him fired.
Having reached his limit, Fraser unloaded on Anthony, again vehemently denying that he was responsible for his close friend’s midseason dismissal. He also later referred to Barbie’s accusation as a “lie,” and alleged that she was “coming for” him amid their own personal issues.
“It wasn’t working!” Fraser fumed to Anthony. “You’re f–king here because I brought you back. ‘Cause I wanted you back. I did not get you f–king fired.”
After admitting they both felt “sad” about the entire situation, the two eventually hugged it out and made up.
“I love you, chef. Stop this s–t,” Fraser said, encouraging Anthony to stop being “insecure” and “paranoid.”
Before putting the issue to rest, Fraser stated one last time in a confessional, “Honest truth, we were inundated by complaints because of the galley. If Captain comes to me and asks me how things are going, I’m not gonna cover for anyone. And in French, we say, ‘Por final.’ And in English, y’all say, ‘Period.'”
Get more details on what led to Chef Anthony’s Below Deck Season 11 firing here.