Celebrity chef and former Food Network personality, Michael Chiarello died on Saturday at the age of 61, according to NBC News. He was under the care of Queen of the Valley Medical Center, located in Napa, Calif., and passed away as the result of an acute allergic reaction that unfortunately escalated to anaphylactic shock.
His company, Gruppo Chiarello, disclosed the news in a statement.
As well as his Food Network presence, Chiarello has presented shows on Fine Living, PBS and Cooking Channel for the last decade. He was also a guest chef on The View and The Today Show.
He found great success with his Emmy-winning cooking show entitled Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello, which streamed for 10 seasons on Food Network. Chiarello was also on Bravo, as he judged participants on the shows Top Chef and Top Chef Masters.
“We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael,” said the Chiarello family in a statement to NBC News, “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, 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.”
Chiarello was a California native, born on Jan. 26, 1962, in Red Bluff. In 1987, he opened his very first restaurant called “Tra Vigne” located in Napa Valley. He would later open three more restaurants; Bottega, Coqueta and Ottimo.
Before opening his first restaurant, Chiarello was named ‘Chef of the Year’ by the Food & Wine magazine in 1985. He also received the award of Chef of the Year in 1995 from his alma mater, the Culinary Institute of America or CIA.
He then found his way into the winemaking business in 1999, launching Chiarello Family Vineyards.
“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…” said his long-standing partners, Gruppo Chiarello, via NBC News.