Below Deck Mediterranean Spoilers: Captain Sandy Sets Boundaries For Tumi!

Below Deck Mediterranean spoilers reveal that Tumi Mhlongo will go from Below Deck Down Under to Below Deck Med season 8. And that change means a promotion to chief stew.

But in addition to Tumi, fans will welcome back Captain Sandy Yawn as well as stews Natalya Scudder and Kyle Viljoen. Keep reading to learn more about the new season.

Below Deck Spoilers – Tumi Mhlongo Gets Promoted!

Tumi Mhlongo will do some yacht hopping this season in the Below Deck franchise. And the Below Deck Down Under alum will jump on board season 8 of Below Deck Mediterranean. As a result, Tumi will take on the chief stew position for Captain Sandy Yawn, according to spoilers via TV Insider.

And the new season of Below Deck Med will feature returning stews Natalya Scudder and Kyle Viljoen. However, watch for Luka Brunton to also make a change, switching from deckhand on Below Deck Down Under to the Med. And newbies Bosun Ruan Irving, Deckhands Haleigh Gorman and Lara Du Preez, and Stew Jessika Asai hope to make their mark.

As for what to expect, Mhlongo shared that she feels becoming chief stew represents “a big deal for me personally because there are not a lot of people of color in the industry. Especially, in a management position like this and on a vessel this size. It feels so good because it’s something that needs to happen. I know there are others, even from my country, who want to join the industry. This kind of shows them they can do it.”

Amid news that Captain Sandy Yawn is engaged, here's what to know about 'Below Deck: Mediterranean' season 8! #BelowDeckMediterranean https://t.co/rgWol4MzlX

— HollywoodLife (@HollywoodLife) September 19, 2023

Below Deck Spoilers – Captain Sandy Yawn Gets ‘Strict’!

And Tumi also compared Captain Jason Chambers to Captain Sandy. But while Jason rules as “a relaxed, laidback, easygoing kind of captain, Captain Sandy is more strict with very high standards.” And Tumi gushed that she appreciated that “because that’s what I know. I’ve always worked with captains with very high standards. It was nice to work with Captain Sandy. She lets it known where the boundary is.”

However, Tumi also faces the challenge of Natalya and Kyle’s existing history. And she admitted, “I knew coming in I really needed to stand up for myself. I’m not going to demand respect from people,” added Tumi. “But they do need to respect my position and the fact I’m in charge. They need to respect that there are reasons I do certain things. Just respect the position.”

Each season on Below Deck, clashes seem inevitable between the chief stew and the chef. And Tumi admitted that she and Chef Jack face “a bit of a rocky start. But in the end, it’s going to be beautiful to see how our friendship develops,” she promised. And the Below Deck Med chief stew added, “I really respect how calm he is as a chef. I’m grateful to have that.” Below Deck Mediterranean season 8 premieres on September 25, 9/8c, on Bravo.

Tell us what you think. Why do you feel that clashes always happen on Below Deck between the chief stew and the chef? And after you share your views, check back on our site for more reality TV news.