Her decision comes after she posted tweets criticizing Southern Charm actor Austen Kroll, exposing a rift between the two. On Tuesday, July 26, the 39-year-old chef turned to social media to tell a tale about Austen’s beer company Trop Hop and how he was nasty to her at a gathering. She even mocked Austen Kroll on Twitter, calling him a “tw*t.”
She then released a series of deleted emails between herself and someone from Bravo’s PR staff requesting that the tweet be removed, to which the former replied:
“I don’t sit; instead, I stand… I’m sick of the nonsense… I refuse to attend @BravoCon2022.”
Captioning the post as follows:
“I’m over Bravo and Belowdeck!”
Rachel Hargrove of Below Deck and Austen Kroll of Southern Charm initially met during the NBC Upfronts.
When asked about the basis for the feud, chef Rachel, who participated in seasons 8 and 9 of Below Deck, described a “unfortunate incident,” stating she met businessman Austen during the NBC Upfronts in May, who reportedly searched through her suitcase with co-star Shep Rose. She also claimed to have met Austen earlier in Florida, when she had a horrible encounter at a party. She reportedly wrote to the PR rep in the since-deleted post, according to whom:
“He was in Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, where I reside… we met… but the best part was seeing his brewing staff.” We were all haning [hanging] out together. He didn’t like the fact that I didn’t party and wasn’t doing everything he wanted… being an idiot.”
She went on to say that Austen had been cruel to her in numerous instances.
“The guy’s an idiot… even when he and chep [“Southern Charm” actor Shep Rose] rummaged through [sic] my suitcase on the floor at upfronts while we were waiting for dress rehearsal.”
On July 27, the Florida native tweeted, “F-k Below Deck,” fueling suspicion that she does not want to return to the brand. She continued by tweeting:
“I shall no longer be associated [sic] with groups in which I do not believe.” #ANTM #belowdeck #bravoco #wwhl”
This is not the chef’s first disagreement with someone. She had previously clashed with her co-star and Below Deck first officer Eddie Lucas, who was concerned about her frequent drinking and determination to quit just before the charter. The cook, on the other hand, had to return to the yacht the following day for work.
Last year, she told Us Weekly about the first episode:
“For me, grudges imply that I would have to care about and value that topic or that person.” I don’t. Also, if you work in restaurants or kitchens, you will see that my conduct is no different from everyone else’s. It’s simply a little more emphatic.”
She even made fun of America’s Next Top Model head judge, Tyra Banks, for referring to the chef as a “plus-size model” during her time on the show.
Rachel Hargrove is a chef.
Rachel Hargrove is a cosmopolitan yacht cook who was born in Tampa, Florida. According to her official Bravi profile,
“She studied at the Culinary Institute of America and worked as an apprentice at the Michelin-starred Quatro Passi in Nerano, Italy.”
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She is well-known for her expertise in molecular gastronomy and gluten-free pasta. She honed her skills after visiting India, Thailand, Japan, and Italy.
