When it comes to steak, people can be very particular. Some people will only eat it if it’s well done, likely due to fears of contamination, while others prefer their steaks to be as bloody as possible. So, when you find a restaurant with a chef who knows how to cook a steak just the way you like, chances are you’ll be a lifelong customer. But what about when it comes to a reality show chef?
You’d probably assume that if a chef is good enough to be on TV, steak prep would have been one of the first things they mastered in culinary school. Well, this particular reality show chef must have missed a day (or 12), because a few huge red flags were exposed that suggest she really wasn’t ready to serve food to customers. Or even prepare food for herself.
The reality show chef in question, Mila Kolomeitseva, appeared on the fourth season of Below Deck Mediterranean, a hit reality show on Bravo that follows the daily life of the staff on a yacht. In the fourth season, the yacht travels along the coast of the south of France while prior voyages took place in locations like Croatia and Italy.
Chef Adam Glick, who had served as the yacht’s chef for the past two seasons, was replaced by Mila Kolomeitseva for the fourth season.
And while it’s common for the cast to shift between seasons, it’s apparent that this may have been a gig that Kolomeitseva wasn’t quite ready for.
The season premiered on June 3, 2019, and within the first few scenes Kolomeitseva is seen making multiple mistakes. For one, she tries to serve a customer one of the saddest plates of nachos ever seen.
The new reality show chef also uses Hidden Valley Ranch on one of the burgers she serves, which is fine for us common folk — but for someone who’s supposed to be a highly trained culinary master, it’s an amateur move.
Haha!! What do you think about the chef with the outstanding resume?? What the heck was that??! Canned food, processed cheese, box taco shells.. hello where can a person get a refund??? Adam Click HELP🤦🏼♀️
— pamela williams (@pamelaw48577645) June 4, 2019
According to People, Kolomeitseva actually had a case of food poisoning during filming. And based on the footage captured of her cooking methods, it’s pretty obvious as to why.
It makes sense for chefs to taste what they’re making — in a hygienic way — if they’re unsure about how it’s coming along. But certainly no trained chef would taste meat when it’s raw.
Kolomeitseva was filmed putting her tongue on a steak before cooking it, which is pretty gross for a lot of reasons.
Perhaps she didn’t realize she was on camera? Still, the method appears to be something she does all the time.
I wanta know what @tomcolicchio @PadmaLakshmi @gailsimmons thought of #BelowDeckMed chef in MON's @bravotv premiere LICKING!! steaks before roasting them and cooking them in the micro !pic.twitter.com/KABMMEbocU@andy @nadinerajabi @hannahferrier_ @CaptSandyYawn @BravoWWHL
— LALATE (@LALATE) June 4, 2019
So, this might lead you to believe that Kolomeitseva gets food poisoning all the time. It’s one thing for a beginner to make the mistake, but for someone who reportedly has an extensive culinary resume?
No kidding. She make up a resume?
— ColaCity (@ColaCity1) June 4, 2019
And that’s not all. The new reality show chef also attempted to cook the steaks in a microwave, which is borderline insulting.
All in all, fans of the show aren’t too happy about the casting change. It’s often fun to watch train wrecks unfold on reality television, but…not when food is involved.
You don’t ever want captain to ask “that’s what the guests are eating?”.... #Belowdeckmed
— Anastasia Surmava (@nastiasurmava) June 4, 2019
Honestly — Kolomeitseva could have easily poisoned any of her guests. Plus, it’s probably safe to assume she embellished her resume.
Mila licked the raw meat, pls tell me that I didn’t hallucinate. I now forgive Adam for putting onions in the primary’s food when it wasn’t on the preference sheet #BelowDeckMed pic.twitter.com/ZvvP8syztb
— ChiChi❤️ (@mydogisphat) June 4, 2019
Not only should you never lick a raw steak, but you should never lick a raw steak after you’ve openly admitted that you’re recovering from food poisoning! Surely a previous guest on the yacht watched the premiere and felt sick to their stomach after realizing what had been happening with their food behind the scenes.
But, health concerns aside, fans still appear to have a sense of humor about the whole ordeal. Probably because they have a feeling that Kolomeitseva won’t be on board the yacht for much longer.
#BelowDeckMed giving us a sneak peak of the chef’s next meal pic.twitter.com/JpBkDoPoUp
— Lolo (@Peacheslolo2) June 4, 2019
Plus, her meals are just too simple. It’s an insult to actual chefs.
no one:
— delaney (@DelayyyMitchell) June 4, 2019
below deck chef:
“dinner is served”
#BelowDeckMed pic.twitter.com/lHUzoKuTfp
Watching her antics only fueled the passion of people who already don’t trust restaurant food while they’re traveling. But have no fear: this particular chef is making headlines because her practices are uncommon and simply dangerous.
real talk: what I am seeing come out of that kitchen reminds me why I always buy food before getting on long flights #BelowDeckMed pic.twitter.com/f41TXgfyzq
— jb (blue check) (@pepsicocom) June 4, 2019
Just remember: if you’re ever on vacation, or traveling someplace, and feel like something’s a bit off with your food, don’t be afraid to speak up!
Your meal may not go from mediocre to five-star immediately, but at least your complaint will alert someone that something might not be quite right in the kitchen. And it’s probably safe to say that this may be the end of Kolomeitseva’s professional cooking career, unless she really refines her methods in future episodes.
