Below Deck Season 12 returned on June 2nd, and the crew aboard the St. David had already faced a rocky start. From the deck team forgetting the guests’ luggage on shore to tension brewing between stewardesses, the season kicked off with plenty of drama.

However, the most shocking moment came when Chef Lawrence Snowden couldn’t handle the pressure in the galley, especially with cameras following him around in such tight quarters. He made the drastic decision to quit after just one charter, but his position was quickly filled by a familiar face: Below Deck Season 11’s chef, Anthony Iracane.

Below Deck Chef Anthony Iracane Revealed The Surprising Truth About What Caused His Firing In Season 11

Below Deck Season 12 viewers were surprised to see a familiar face return when Chef Anthony Iracane stepped in following Chef Lawrence Snowden’s shocking decision to quit before the first charter was even over. Bringing Anthony back on the St. David wasn’t an easy choice, especially after his previous firing by Captain Kerry Titheradge. But, with the megayacht in urgent need of a capable chef, and Chief Stew Fraser Olender praising Anthony’s newfound work ethic, both men chose to put the past behind them. With Anthony’s experience and familiarity with the vessel, his return made sense.

When Anthony appeared as a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on June 16th, he looked back on his firing. However, he also shared some very shocking insights as to why he believes he struggled last season, getting ultimately fired by Captain Kerry after 12 episodes in Season 11.

Host Andy Cohen was totally shocked by Anthony’s remarks. “Hold on, please … Your ex-wife left you for your uncle?” Andy asked in disbelief.

Anthony told Andy that his wife’s relationship with his uncle occurred just six months before he boarded the St. David to film Season 11. He shared that they began a romantic relationship while she was working as a chief stew on his boat. Anthony even confirmed that they were still together.

“Yeah. They want to make a family. So it’s kind of cool. It’s like, who am I? Am I their uncle now?” Anthony jokingly shared, adding that he is not in touch with either of them.

On WWHL, Anthony shared that his shocking fallout from his wife and the death of his father were reasons why he seemed all over the place. Captain Kerry began to notice his lackluster dishes, causing him to ultimately fire him “I jumped on Below Deck with all of his on my mind,” Anthony shared.

Chef Anthony Got A Dream Opportunity To Return For Below Deck Season 12

Anthony was given the opportunity of a lifetime when he was asked to return to the St. David and step in for Chef Lawrence Snowden, who struggled with the intense pressure of being on reality TV. Despite deciding to leave, Lawrence remained on board for the remainder of the first charter to show Anthony around the galley and help him get acquainted with the guests before officially throwing in his chef’s apron.

Anthony knew that he had to impress both the guests and Chef Kerry with this second chance.

“I’m not a loser and I can be a winner. And I can make all my family proud. It’s going to be showtime. It’s going to be the Tony show.” He added, “It feels really good to be home. … I’m ready. I feel fresh. I will do my best for sure.”

Will Chef Anthony Confront Chief Stew Fraser Olender For Being Responsible For His Firing In Season 11?

When tasked with finding Lawrence’s replacement, Fraser let Captain Kerry know that Anthony was available. Although the Captain was skeptical because he had fired him last season, Fraser promised that Anthony had grown since his firing and improved as a chef.

“Yes, he had issues, but that man is skilled,” Fraser tells Kerry. “Chef Anthony and I, we went through a lot last year. I just think he lost his way, and he spiraled, but he’s got it in him. That boy is incredibly talented. And if I can help him where I need to and guide him, we’ve got something,” he shared in a confessional before adding that Anthony’s “confidence is through the roof.”

Despite Fraser being the one to get Anthony a job on the St. David and redeem himself, there is underlying tension between the two, as Fraser was slightly responsible for getting the chef fired last season.

“Me and Fraser, I feel like he’s really part of my family,” Anthony shared. “And I feel, he also maybe was a little part of my departure [last season].” He added, “It’s going to be hard between charter, between everything, to find the right, perfect moment to talk about my feelings with Fraser.”

During Anthony’s appearance on WWHL, Andy asked if he believed Fraser was responsible for his firing in Season 11. While Anthony initially gave a diplomatic response, Andy had to press him before he admitted that yes, he did.

“Fraser and I, it’s my brother, it’s a family,” he began. “No matter what, there is no love without fight. We went through a process, I don’t want to spoil anything, but you know, it’s my brother. He got me and I got his back,” he shared. When Andy asked him the same question, Anthony shared that it “destroyed his heart” to leave before finally saying “yes” Fraser did get him fired.

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