Kate Chastain Gives Her Honest Opinion of New Below Deck Chief Stew Heather Chase

The new season of Below Deck will bring a new chief stew with it as Heather Chase joins the crew to lead the interior on My Seanna. And she has already gotten a seal of approval from one very notable Below Deck alum.

Kate Chastain, who famously served as Below Deck's chief stew for six seasons before stepping away from the series after Season 7, dished on Heather during her appearance on the October 4 Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen After Show (clip above). "I actually have met the new chief stew," Kate said. "She's amazing."

That meeting was documented by none other than Captain Lee Rosbach, who posted a photo of himself, wife Mary Anne, Kate, and Heather while out to dinner in August. "My version of Friday Night Lights," Captain Lee captioned the pic, which he posted on Instagram on August 28. "A bit of the past and present, [and] who knows what's in the future."

Heather shared the same photo on her Instagram with the caption, "Dinner with some of my favorite people." So it would seem that Heather is a big fan of Kate as well.

Heather's addition to the Below Deck crew has also gotten two big thumbs up from other familiar faces. Alex Radcliffe gushed about Heather on Instagram after it was announced that she would be Below Deck's new chief stew. "So pumped the secret is out that one of my best friends in the yachting world is the chief stew of the new season of [Below Deck]," the Below Deck Mediterranean Season 5 deckhand captioned a photo of himself and Heather. "I can honestly say she’s one of the most genuine/ kind hearted [humans] I know."

Anastasia Surmava also couldn't contain her excitement over Heather appearing on Below Deck. "My girl is the new chief, [y'all]!" the Below Deck Med Season 4 stew and chef said while sharing photos from the new season of Heather, Captain Lee, and Chef Rachel Hargrove. "Love you [Heather]. So damn proud of you!!!!"

Anastasia said of Heather in another post in her Instagram Stories at the time, "Just look at her!!!!! Can't wait to watch you crush it this season baby!"

Below Deck fans are sure to fall in love with the new chief stew as well, if the trailer for Season 9 is any indication. In the preview, we see that Heather has a good sense of humor, but she's also stern when she needs to be. "I put people in line that need to be put in line," the new chief stew says in the clip.

With difficult charter guests and a challenging interior team, Heather will definitely have her work cut out for her in Season 9 of Below Deck, as described in a press release for the upcoming season: "Chief stew Heather is eager to deliver her guests an unforgettable experience, but when one of her stews becomes severely unmotivated, she must hustle to pick up the slack and maintain her five-star service."

Heather won't be the only new crew member in Below Deck Season 9. The chief stew will be joined by new stews Jessica Albert and Fraser Olender, as well as deckhands Jake Foulger, Rayna Lindsey, and Wes O'Dell. For the first time in the history of Below Deck, someone new will be at the helm, Captain Sean Meagher, when Captain Lee is unexpectedly delayed on land at the start of the charter season.

But Captain Lee will return, along with Chef Rachel and Eddie Lucas, now in his new role as first officer.

Below Deck Season 9 premieres on Monday, October 25 at 9/8c with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock. Check out everything that's on the horizon for the new season, below.

Your Fist Look at Below Deck Season 9!

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