Below Deck Med: What Happened to Third Stew & Chef Anastasia Surmava

Anastasia Surmava appeared on season 4 of Below Deck Mediterranean as the third stew and chef. But after the show, it seems Anastasia may have moved on from a full-time career in the yachting industry. Before she came on the show, the former stew worked as a chef on several smaller boats before trying out the role of a third stew. She once dated a young captain who introduced her to yachting, and she was immediately intrigued by life on the water.

During her time on the Bravo series, Anastasia became very close with chief stew Hannah Ferrier and second stew Aesha Scott. Together, the three ladies were the dream team of the Med. Not only did all three of them get along, but they all contributed something to their interior team. Hannah was sad to lose Anastasia after she became the chef, but she was excited to see Chef Mila Kolomeitseva finally get fired.

According to a podcast episode of Dear Diary, You’re Effed! with Hannah Ferrier, Anastasia recently relocated to Burlington, Vermont, her hometown. She told the former chief stew in June that she recently moved back home and was starting a new career, but she did not disclose the company or her new role. However, Anastasia has recently been tagging Revolve, a popular online women’s clothing store, in almost all of her posts on Instagram. Besides her new career, she also started a new business with Hannah called the Ocean International Training Academy. The program provides courses to help those who are interested in a career in the yachting industry.

In April, Anastasia was in the Bahamas, where she last worked a charter season. She also promotes different brands on her social media, including Vush and Dewey Crush. Other than thriving in her career and business, the Vermont-native has found love. According to her social media, she is currently dating South Africa-based model Will Higginson. The pair likely met in January 2021, as Anastasia was in Cape Town hanging out with Georgia Grobler from Below Deck Sailing Yacht. Anastasia celebrated Will’s 30 birthday by sharing a photo of the couple smooching on a tennis court. “Happy 30th Birthday @will_higginson DIRTY, THIRTY, AND THRIVING BABYYYY!!!” she wrote in the caption.

Anastasia has been quite busy since she last appeared on Below Deck Mediterranean. She is now in a relationship with a handsome South African, has a new career, and is building a business with one of her good friends. While viewers would love to see Anastasia return to the Bravo series, it seems life has only gotten better for the former stew/chef after leaving the show.

Below Deck Mediterranean airs Mondays at 9 pm ET on Bravo.

Sources: Dear Diary, You’re Effed!, Anastasia Surmava/ Instagram

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