CELEBRITY
Celebrity Chef Michael Chiarello Dead At 61
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Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello, former Food Network star and host of Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello, has died at the age of 61.
According to a statement Saturday from his company, Gruppo Chiarello, the chef died at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, Calif., where he was being treated for the past week for an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock.
We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael. His culinary brilliance, boundless creativity, and unwavering commitment to family were at the core of his being, his family said in a statement.
He brought people together through the joy of shared meals, fostering lasting memories around the table. As we navigate this profound loss, we hold dear the moments we cherished with him, both in his kitchens and in our hearts. His legacy will forever live on in the love he poured into every dish and the passion he instilled in all of us to savor life’s flavors, they said.
In addition to the Food Network, Chiarello hosted programs on PBS and the Cooking Channel, along with NapaStyle on the Fine Living Network.
The California native has been part of the Napa Valley food scene since opening his restaurant Tra Vigne in 1987, two years after Food & Wine Magazine named him Chef of the Year.
Along with revolutionizing California’s olive oil industry with his venture, Consorzio Flavored Oils, Chiarello also entered the world of winemaking with Chiarello Family Vineyards, producing acclaimed small-batch wines.
Chef Michael Chiarello’s passion for food and life will forever be etched in our kitchens and our hearts. While we mourn Michael’s passing, we also celebrate his legacy that continues with his restaurants, Bottega, Coqueta (San Francisco and Napa Valley), and Ottimo,” his partners in Gruppo Chiarello said.
In remembrance, we ask that you join us in celebrating his remarkable journey and the incredible impact he had on the world of food, wine, and family by inviting you to share a meal with your family and friends to remind all of us that the bonds forged over a meal are among life’s most precious treasures, the company said.
In lieu of flowers, Chiarello’s family has requested that well-wishers instead donate to Meals on Wheels.
TMX contributed to this article.
