Michael Chiarello, a famous chef and former Food Network star, has passed away. He was 61. His firm, Gruppo Chiarello, sent a statement to PEOPLE saying that he had passed away at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California after being treated there for anaphylactic shock caused by an acute allergic reaction.
“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,” Chiarello’s family — who were by his side at the time of his death — 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,” the family added. “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.”
Funeral services for Mr. Chiarello will be private, and in lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be given in his memory to Meals on Wheels. A native of Red Bluff, California, Chiarello launched his first restaurant, Tra Vigne, in Napa Valley in 1987, as reported by Business Wire.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, he later developed the Napa Valley eateries Bottega and Ottimo, as well as the Spanish restaurant Coqueta, which has outlets in both Napa Valley and at San Francisco’s Pier 5.
According to his website, Chiarello also started manufacturing wine in 1999 under the name Chiarello Family Vineyards. A year later, he launched NapaStyle, a retail brand selling gourmet foods, cookware, and housewares.
According to his website, the famous chef has also presented series on PBS, the Food Network, Fine Living, and the Cooking Channel throughout the years, and has made guest chef appearances on shows including The Today Show and The View. He won Esquire’s “Chef of the Year” award in 2013.
However, the star’s life was not without scandal; in 2016, he was accused of sexual harassment by two former workers of Coqueta. According to KTVU, he has rejected the allegations made against him, while SFGATE reports that the two former employees’ cases against him were resolved the following year.
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