Celebrity chef and Food Network icon Michael Chiarello passed away on Friday at the age of 61. Chiarello suffered an allergic reaction that resulted in anaphylactic shock, according to his restaurant group. The news of his death was confirmed by his family, who expressed their deep sorrow over losing their beloved patriarch.
Chiarello was widely known for his culinary brilliance and creativity. He hosted shows on PBS and the Food Network, as well as appeared on popular cooking competitions like “Top Chef,” “Top Chef Masters,” and “The Next Iron Chef.” In 2005, he received a Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Service Show Host for Food Network’s “Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello.”
The California native was recognized for his Italian-influenced California cuisine and was named 1985’s Chef of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine. He opened his first restaurant, Tra Vigne, in the picturesque Napa Valley in 1987. Chiarello’s passion for food and life will forever be remembered by the Gruppo Chiarello restaurant group.
In addition to his television appearances and restaurants, Chiarello was also an acclaimed cookbook author. Some of his notable works include “Bottega: Bold Italian Flavors from the Heart of California’s Wine Country,” “At Home with Michael Chiarello: Easy Entertaining,” and “Michael Chiarello’s Casual Cooking.”
Unfortunately, Chiarello’s career was marred by allegations of sexual harassment in 2016. Two former servers accused him of making inappropriate comments and promoting an unhealthy work environment. The lawsuit was settled out of court in 2017.
Fans and fellow chefs took to social media to express their sadness and pay tribute to Chiarello. Celebrity chef Robert Irvine tweeted, “A very sad day for me personally and the culinary world. My thoughts and prayers go out to family and teammates… RIP my dear friend, you will be sorely missed.”
Chiarello is survived by his ex-wife, Eileen Gordon, and their four children, Aidan, Margaux, Felicia, and Giana. Despite the controversies surrounding his career, Chiarello’s impact on the culinary world and his ability to create lasting memories through food will not be forgotten.