Michael Chiarello, celebrity chef and former Food Network star, has died. He was 61 years old.
Chiarello died Saturday at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California, where he was being treated for an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock, his company, Gruppo Chiarello, said in a statement.
“We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved Patriarch Michael. His culinary skills, boundless creativity and unwavering commitment to family were the core of his personality. He brought people together through the joy of sharing a meal, creating lasting memories around the table,” the Chiarello family said in a statement. “As we experience this profound loss, we cherish the moments we cherished with him, both in his kitchen and in our hearts. His legacy will forever live on in the love he put into every dish and the passion he instilled in all of us to enjoy the flavors of life.”
Chiarello hosted shows for ten years on PBS, the Food Network, Fine Living and the Cooking Channel, and appeared as a guest chef on the Today and The View shows. His Emmy Award-winning cooking show, Light Fun with Michael Chiarello, aired on the Food Network for 10 seasons.
Chiarello has been a judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and “Top Chef Masters.” In 2011, he competed on the Food Network competition “Next Iron Chef.”
Chiarello was born on January 26, 1962 in Red Bluff, California. He opened his first restaurant, Tra Vigne, in Napa Valley in 1987, and later opened restaurants such as Bottega, Ottimo and Coqueta. In 1999, he took up winemaking, creating the Chiarello family vineyards.
Chiarello was named Chef of the Year by Food & Wine magazine in 1985 and later received the CIA Chef of the Year award in 1995.
“Chef Michael Chiarello’s passion for food and life will forever remain in our kitchens and our hearts. While we mourn Michael’s passing, we also celebrate his legacy, which continues through his restaurants Bottega, Coqueta (San Francisco and Napa Valley) and Ottimo,” said his longtime partners at Gruppo Chiarello. “In his memory, we ask you to join us in celebrating his remarkable journey and the incredible impact he had on the worlds of food, wine and family by inviting you to share a meal with your family and friends to remind us all that the bonds forged food is one of life’s most precious treasures.”
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