Making Waves: How 'Below Deck' Alum Tumi Mhlongo Slays Both The Seas & The City
- By: Ashley Joy Parker
“There is no room for average…” -Tumi
It’s no secret that it takes a special kind of individual to be an effective leader in the hospitality industry. From meeting ever-changing client demands to staying cool under pressure, the position requires a unique, face-forward skillset that few professionals possess.
Then there’s the yachting world. To succeed in providing superior service on the seas demands an unparalleled level of patience and prowess. Enter Tumi Mhlong.
Originally from South Africa, Tumi first found her way onto the water after feeling restless at a nine-to-five day job. After dabbling in the hospitality industry as a social media manager for restaurants, Tumi got a crash course in service becoming an interior crew member aboard some of the world’s most luxurious vessels.
Working her way up the ranks, Bravo fans were first introduced to Tumi as the second stew to Aesha Scott on the first season of Below Deck Down Under. Tumi went on to make Bravo history on Season 8 of Below Deck Mediterranean as the first Black female Chief Stew in the franchise’s decade-plus run. (For the nautical newbies, the Chief Stew, aka the Chief Stewardess, is a top-ranking position, responsible for the interior management of a vessel and for providing exceptional hospitality service to guests onboard).
Apart from the television milestone, it’s clear Tumi’s commitment and passion to providing 7-star service goes well beyond what the cameras captured. Known for her no-nonsense approach to management (and impeccable taste for creating tablescapes), Tumi has not only set a new set of standards for the Bravo series, but she has undoubtedly inspired a new generation of hospitality leaders.
But it’s not all blood, sweat, and salt. Yachties are famous for knowing how to have a good time once charters wrap and Tumi is no exception. (More on that later). Now that she’s settled into life on dry land in New York City, Tumi is finding new ways to make waves, harnessing her hosting expertise via social media, from leading fun interactive cocktail tutorials to curating the best skincare products with get-ready-with-me videos.
Loop recently caught up with the professional powerhouse to chat about her journey as a leader in yachting, the best ports to party in, her new chapter ashore, and more.
Check out our exclusive interview with Tumi Mhlong below.
How did you first get into the yachting industry?
It started as a typical sabbatical. I was working at a photographic agency, and I was so bored with the nine-to-five life. So, I decided to go into yachting, which is a common thing in South Africa. And I just never went back. I didn’t come from a traditional hospitality background. I just learned along the way and realized I really liked it.
What was your first role in yachting?
I was a Junior Stew, so I was responsible for things like laundry and housekeeping, then I worked my way up.
On Below Deck, we saw you take on the role of Chief Stew, who is the leader of the yacht’s interior team and responsible for creating the best hospitality experience for guests onboard. Tell us about your day-to-day duties that viewers may not have seen on the show.
Our role is very diverse in the sense that we not only cater to the guests, but to the crew as well. For example, I’m responsible for all the crew’s snacks, uniforms, toiletries, and basically, everything they need. I’m like the mum taking care of her cubs. I am responsible for the entire maintenance of the interior, so I also create the schedules. It all falls on me.
Sometimes Chief Stews will be responsible for booking flight tickets, that’s one thing you don’t see on Below Deck. And on some boats, like my last one, you would be responsible for hiring, handling the interview process, and all that. We’re also responsible for provisioning, we’re the ones who do the buying. There’s a lot behind the scenes.
You are known for your impeccable attention to detail and a keen eye for decor when it comes to creating tablescapes and throwing parties. What’s your approach to creating a fabulous atmosphere onboard?
I’m a little bit more modern. I don’t like the tacky look, but it just depends on the client. I believe in minimalism, but also having a theme. Everything has to match. I set my tables how I like to dress.
Do you have a favorite decor theme or concept you’ve done?
Hamptons Nautical. You can work with different elements like shells, rope, candles, and flowers.
How was your yachting experience on camera versus off camera?
It’s interesting because it’s harder, but also easier at the same time. It’s harder in the sense that you get less sleep. Also, in normal yachting, you know what is expected of you, whereas with TV yachting, you don’t have control of certain things, which can be very frustrating. For example, if I want a special decor element, I usually go out and find it myself, but with a television show, you are relying on the production team. You have to be a little bit more lenient. I found it very difficult to drop my standards because it’s TV and you can’t have everything perfect. But in reality, everything has to be perfect. There is no room for average in yachting.
Do you remember the biggest tip you ever received on a single charter?
I feel like it was like $3,000. That’s pretty good.
You made Bravo history by becoming the first black female Chief Stew on a Below Deck series. The yachting industry has a bit of a reputation for having a diversity issue. How have you navigated that experience in your career?
The wildest thing is that the yachting industry is actually very diverse. In fact, the largest ethnic group in yachting is Filipinos. However, there is a lack of diversity within higher management. I always say they like to keep us down under, below deck. It’s hard to navigate because many people are not used to having other ethnicities taking on managerial roles. It’s almost like a shock factor. Almost every charter I’ll hear “Oh, you’re the first black Chief Stew I’ve ever worked with” and sometimes there is an underlying question of whether you’re even capable of doing the job. That’s hard. After some time, everyone’s just like, okay, it’s all good, but the beginning is always a very nerve-wracking experience.
What qualities does it take to be a successful leader in the yachting world?
Patience, communication, and resilience. Patience is a big one because everyone’s going to test your patience. There’s a lack of sleep, so you have to remain very calm and resilient. That will get you far. And focus always. Focus on the work at hand and try not to get into the politics of it all.
Yachties work hard but they are also famous for knowing how to party. What port has the best nightlife?
Miami. I used to dock at Island Gardens and it’s so fun because it’s central to everything. And there is a small island in the Caribbean called Canouan. It is a small port and there’s probably only like three bars, but let me tell you something, you’ll have the time of your life.
Any tips for beating jet lag?
You just have to get up and move. Get up, and go outside. Do not lie down until the sun goes down.
There’s not a lot that you can bring onboard when you’re on charter. What are some things that you absolutely cannot leave port without?
My skincare, sunscreen, for sure, and sunglasses.
Before you got into yachting, you were doing social media for restaurants and clubs in Capetown. How was working on the social side of the hospitality industry?
I’ve always been into the social media space, but that was really fun. I didn’t realize how much I loved food. It was a bit difficult because I was dealing with three different types of restaurants and three different types of styles, but I loved it. That’s when I learned I needed a job where I would be interacting with people daily. I enjoyed that. I loved the family feel of the workspace as well.
How important is social media when it comes to restaurants and nightlife venues these days?
Now with the TikTok generation and TikTok trends, it’s so important. I’ve always said that eating is an experience. It’s kind of like yachting, you get onto the boat and there is the food, there is the decor, there is the water, and everything’s an experience. Social media is really important because you’re able to evoke that experience. Even now, if I were to go back and redo the social media for these restaurants, my approach would be very different. Before, I would mostly show photos of the food, now it would be about showing how you would feel at that restaurant. You want to feel that experience through social media. I mean, I use TikTok to look for new restaurants in New York now.
Speaking of, you moved to New York City last year. What are you loving about the city?
I love being able to walk places. Coming from a country where we always had to drive, it’s nice to have that freedom of just doing what you want, when you want, any time of day. And I love going out to eat. Food is my love language and New York has the best.
Let’s talk about your passion for skincare. On social media, you love to share your routines and the products you’re obsessed with. What‘s one of your go-to beauty tips?
People need to know what their skin needs. I used to have really bad skin. It took me a long time and working with a couple of dermatologists before I started to understand my skin. I used to use products just because they were trendy and my skin kept breaking out. Now, I know I need something that’s super sensitive.
What are some products you use daily?
I’ve always been obsessed with having soft skin, my whole family has really soft skin, so I use coconut oil and shea butter for my body. I have to have a gentle cleanser, a gentle moisturizer, and sunscreen. Sunscreen before any moisturizer. I always keep sunscreen in my bag.
We talked about how you like to match. When it comes to fashion, how would you describe your style?
I like to be as simple as possible. Everyone says I’m a California girl. I like ripped jeans, a white T-shirt, and cute white sneakers. I love a simple dress, maybe with a sassy heel. My aim is not to look like a Christmas tree. I don’t like chunky jewelry or a lot of color. If I’m wearing a color, it’s just one, like a solid red dress. And I don’t like patterns. Polka dots are the biggest thing I fear in life.
You’ve become quite the cocktail queen on social media, sharing fun drink recipes with your followers. Do you have a signature cocktail you like to mix up?
I call it the Tumilicious, it’s like a lychee martini. I’m all about being innovative, but keeping it simple. When I first started, I didn’t know how to make cocktails. We don’t really have a cocktail scene in South Africa, it’s more wine and beer. It was intimidating in the beginning because I felt like there were so many ingredients, but once you start realizing how simplistic you can make it, it’s like, “Wow, anyone can do this.” And if you don’t have one ingredient, you can use something else. That’s something I learned while yachting. Once we were stuck in the Bahamas and we couldn’t get Kahlua, so I had to think on my toes about how to substitute. The key is to just keep it simple. There’s no reason to use 5,000 different ingredients. Simple chic cocktails are my thing.
How do you nurse a hangover when you’ve had one too many?
It’s so crazy. I used to be like, “ok let’s have breakfast, and then let’s go to the gym.” but as I get older, these hangovers are so lethal. Now, I just need to rehydrate and stay in bed.
You recently attended BravoCon in Las Vegas. We heard from many Bravolebrites that the weekend was wild. Do you have any behind-the-scenes, late-night Vegas stories you can share with us?
That weekend was debaucherous. My feet were so sore from my heels that I literally walked into a club with my slippers on and I did not even care. I had the best time. I spent a lot of time with (fellow Below Deck stars) Luka, Aesha, Katie Floody, and even some of my charter guests from the season. We had the craziest weekend.
Now that you’re settled on dry land, any plans to return to yachting in the future?
I don’t want to completely close the door to yachting, but I am trying to move on to being completely land-based…and have my own bed. I do miss the water sometimes, but I could never do it permanently.
What era is Tumi in right now?
I’m in my please don’t fuck with me era. I just need peace.
Read More
