'Below Deck': Why did Rachel really quit? Chef addresses dramatic exit, says she had 'other obligations'
Chef Rachel Hargrove started the season well but seemed to spiral down after a caviar episode. She was visibly upset about the missing tins of food and the demanding charter guests who had a long list of food they wanted to taste. But she was able to put everything together and saved Captain Lee Rosbach from embarrassment. But by then she had reached the end of her tether.
As she prepped for the next charter, it appeared as though she was no longer feeling charged to do the job. But even then it didn't seem she would shockingly quit the show 16 hours before the next batch of guests arrive leaving the crew high and dry and hopelessly worrying about who would fill in for her. Even though she said the exhaustive preference sheet for the upcoming charter got her goat, Rachel seemed taken by other things. She was visibly upset after the phone call with boyfriend Vincenzo, who informed her about the Covid-19 situation in Italy.
Rachel never revealed the real reason on camera but after this week's episode, she addressed her exit when one fan wrote to her, saying: "WTF?? I was such a fan of yours until tonight’s episode. You are being paid to cater to the guests. Man up or I hope next episode shows u leaving." The chef simply responded with: "Sorry covid was killing friends in italy... had other obligations." But fans weren't that forgiving.
@HargroveRachel WTF?? I was such a fan of yours until tonight’s episode. You are being paid to cater to the guests. Man up or I hope next episode shows u leaving. #belowdeck #bravotv
— Jenny Holland (@jennysgreytlife) December 15, 2020
Sorry covid was killing friends in italy... had other obligations
— Chef Rachel Hargrove (@HargroveRachel) December 15, 2020
"That wasn’t “real ness” since she is now saying it is because of COVID. She is reprehensible and I hope that future employers watch this so they know who they are thinking of hiring. No respect for her at all," one user wrote, while another shared: "There was NO mention of COVID at that point and u did after hearing a charter guests requests. U screwed over your Captain and crew." "What was really disappointing was that you wouldn’t even help @capthlr out one day. That was so not cool. He’s been amazing to you and that’s how you repaid him. #BelowDeck," another viewer responded to her.
That wasn’t “real ness” since she is now saying it is because of COVID. She is reprehensible and I hope that future employers watch this so they know who they are thinking of hiring. No respect for her at all.
— Jenny Holland (@jennysgreytlife) December 15, 2020
That’s f**ked for u to do that and then to say THAT was your reason? There was NO mention of COVID at that point and u did after hearing a charter guests requests. U screwed over your Captain and crew. Seriously, my respect for u went from 100% to zero in just a few minutes.
— Jenny Holland (@jennysgreytlife) December 15, 2020
What was really disappointing was that you wouldn’t even help @capthlr out one day. That was so not cool. He’s been amazing to you and that’s how you repaid him. #BelowDeck
— Jodi (@jodii07) December 15, 2020
Catch all the new episodes of 'Below Deck' Season 8 on Bravo every Monday at 9/8c. For more information, check your local listings.