The famous chef on American television, Chef Michael Chiarello, died of anaphylactic shock on Friday evening (6) at the age of 61. He was hospitalized and treated after suffering a severe allergic reaction but did not survive. He won an Emmy in 2005 as a judge on shows like “Top Chef” and “Chopped.”
“We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael. His culinary brilliance, his boundless creativity and his unwavering commitment to the family constituted the essence of his being,” said the spokesman for his company, Gruppo Chiarello, in a press statement.
“He brought people together through the joy of sharing a meal and created lasting memories around the table. As we process such a difficult loss, we will cherish the moments we had with him, both in the kitchen and in our hearts.”
“His legacy will live on forever in the love he put into each of his dishes and the passion he instilled in us to enjoy all the joys of life. We ask you to join us in celebrating his incredible journey and the impact he has had on the world of food, bringing his family and friends together for a meal so that we all remember the bonds that come through food are the most valuable treasures.”
Chiarello was born on January 26, 1962 in the small town of Red Bluff, California and opened his first restaurant, “Tra Vigne,” at the age of 25. He also owned venues such as Bottega, Ottimo and Coqueta, all of which were critically acclaimed.
The chef, who also entered the wine production market in 1999, was named Chef of the Year by Food & Wine magazine in 1985. Ten years later, the North American Culinary Institute also named Chiarello Chef of the Year. He also won an Emmy for Best Cooking Show Host for his work on “Easy Entertaining,” which ran for 10 seasons on the Food Network.