Chef Michael Chiarello dies at 61 after allergic reaction
- The prominent Italian-American chef died October 6 following an ‘acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock’
- He was the host of several TV shows including the Emmy Award-winning Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello
Michael Chiarello, the American chef and TV host known for his Italian-influenced California cuisine, has died at age 61.
Chiarello died Friday night, surrounded by family and friends, at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, California.
His Gruppo Chiarello restaurant group said the chef had been hospitalized for the last week following an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock.
Born in 1962, the passionate cook followed his childhood dream of becoming a world-class chef and hosted a slew of television shows for a decade.
He was named Food & Wine magazine’s Chef of the Year in 1985, and later received CIA’s Chef of the Year award in 1995. He was also recognized by the James Beard Foundation and authored many cookbooks.
Prominent chef Michael Chiarello passed away aged 61 followed a serious allergic reaction
The Italian-American culinary whiz and TV host appeared on a slew of television shows and opened several restaurants
He appeared on networks like PBS, Food Network, Fine Living and Cooking Channel throughout his career
Chiarello hailed from an Italian-American family and came up in the central California community of Turlock.
He left his sunny hometown for Hyde Park, New York, to study at the Culinary Institute of America.
After graduating in 1982, Chiarello attended Florida International University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, receiving a bachelor’s degree two years later.
It was then he kicked off his professional career by opening his first restaurant, Toby’s, in Miami.
Chiarello found immediate fame and moved back home to open Tra Vigne Restaurant in Napa Valley, where he acted as Executive Chef and a partner for the restaurant – and seven others.
As his influence grew further, Chiarello hosted shows on PBS, Food Network, Fine Living and Cooking Channel for a decade, also making appearances as a guest chef on the Today show and The View.
He served as a judge on Bravo’s Top Chef and Top Chef Masters, and, in 2011, competed on the fourth season of Food Network’s Next Iron Chef.
He will be most remembered for his show Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello, which ran for ten seasons on Food Network and scored him a Daytime Emmy in 2005 for Outstanding Service Show Host.
Chiarello found instant fame when he opened his first restaurant, Toby’s, after graduating from college
He hosted a slew of television shows for a decade, including the Emmy-winning series Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello
He authored several cookbooks and was named Food & Wine magazine’s Chef of the Year in 1985 as well as CIA’s Chef of the Year in 1995
Chiarello faced accusations of workplace misconduct towards the end of his life and settled out of court with two former employees
Towards the end of his life, Chiarello was steeped in legal trouble including allegations of sexual harassment and wage stealing from two former employees in 2016.
Following the accusations, Chiarello continued his public appearances and prompted a public outcry when he was invited to be a part of the South Beach Food and Wine Festival in 2018.
Afterward, the chef worked on his restaurants, Bottega and Coqueta, and largely retreated from the spotlight.
‘Chef Michael Chiarello’s passion for food and life will forever be etched in our kitchens and our hearts,’ his Gruppo Chiarello partners said in a statement.
The group oversees his restaurants Bottega, Coqueta – with two locations in San Francisco and Napa Valley – and Ottimo.
‘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 statement read.
Chiarello’s family issued their own statement expressing their deep sense of grief.
‘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.’
The family has asked for donations to Meals on Wheels in place in lieu of flowers.
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