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Published October 8, 2023, 4:04 pm ET
Celebrity chef and Food Network icon Michael Chiarello died Friday of an allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock, according to his restaurant group. He was 61.
“We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael,” Chiarello’s family said in a statement obtained by The Wrap. “His culinary brilliance, boundless creativity and unwavering commitment to family were at the core of his being. He brought people together through the joy of shared meals and created lasting memories around the table.”
The Post reached out to Chiarello’s representatives for comment.
Born on January 26, 1962, Chiarello has hosted shows on PBS and the Food Network and appeared on “Top Chef,” “Top Chef Masters” and “The Next Iron Chef.”
In 2005, he received a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Service Show Host for Food Network’s “Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello.”
Michael Chiarello has hosted shows on PBS and the Food Network and appeared on “Top Chef,” “Top Chef Masters” and “The Next Iron Chef.” Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for SOBEWFF
He died surrounded by family and friends at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California.
Restaurant group Gruppo Chiarello issued a statement recalling the California native’s “passion for food.”
“Chef Michael Chiarello’s passion for food and life will forever be embedded in our kitchens and our hearts,” the statement said. “As we mourn Michael, we also celebrate his legacy, which continues through his restaurants Bottega, Coqueta (San Francisco and Napa Valley) and Ottimo.”
Known for his Italian-influenced California cuisine, Chiarello was named Chef of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine in 1985.
In 1987 he opened his first restaurant, Tra Vigne, in Napa Valley.
He died on Friday surrounded by family and friends at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California. WireImage He received a Daytime Emmy in 2005 for Outstanding Service Show Host for Food Network’s “Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello.” Getty Images
He hosted “Season by Season” on PBS and “NapaStyle” on the Fine Living Network.
He placed second on the first season of Top Chef Masters in 2009 and third place on the Super Chefs edition of The Next Iron Chef in 2011.
He was a guest judge on “Top Chef” in 2009 and on “Chopped” in 2016.
He wrote several cookbooks, including Bottega: Bold Italian Flavors from the Heart of California’s Wine Country, At Home with Michael Chiarello: Easy Entertaining and Michael Chiarello’s Casual Cooking.
In 2016, Chiarello was accused of sexual harassment by two former servers.
They claimed Chiarello once compared martinis to breasts and told managers to only hire those they found sexually attractive.
At the time, a Chiarello representative called the allegations baseless and said the chef would vigorously defend himself.
Several of his fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their dismay at the chef’s unexpected death. Steve Jennings/Getty Images
Chiarello settled the lawsuit out of court in 2017.
Several of his fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their dismay at the chef’s unexpected death.
“A very sad day for me personally and the culinary world,” wrote celebrity chef Robert Irvine. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and teammates…RIP my dear friend, you will be sorely missed.”
“Very sad to hear that one of my favorite chefs, Michael Chiarello, has died,” a second user tweeted. “He had a severe allergic reaction last week. Allergic reactions are not benign.”
“Michael Chiarello has died. God this sucks,” a third person mourned. “He was one of the first chefs I looked up to when I started cooking 20 years ago. Seems like such a cool guy. Horrible stuff.”
Chiarello is survived by his ex-wife Eileen Gordon, whom Chiarello married in 2003 before filing for divorce in 2019, and his four children Aidan, Margaux, Felicia and Giana.
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