Michael Chiarello, the patriarch of the Chiarello family, passed away. According to his restaurant group (Gruppo Chiarello), the adored celebrity chef and TV broadcaster passed away on Friday (Oct. 6) after spending a week in the hospital undergoing treatment for an intense allergic reaction that resulted in anaphylactic shock. At the time of his departure at the age of 61, he was being treated at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California, and was surrounded by friends and family. Chiarello is remembered for his outstanding culinary skills and his capacity to unite people from different backgrounds through his love of food.

“We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael,” his family said in a statement. “At the very core of his personality were his genius in the kitchen, boundless creativity, and steadfast devotion to his family. He created enduring memories around the table by bringing people together through the joy of shared meals. His family is pledging to “hold dear the moments we cherished with him, both in the kitchens and in our hearts” as they cope with this deep loss.

The love he put into each meal and the passion he inspired in each of us to taste life’s delicacies will “forever live on in the love he poured into every dish,” they understand, as will his legacy (both in life and in his career. Michael Chiarello was frequently featured on television and is well-recognized for his Italian-influenced California food. In addition to hosting a successful cooking program on PBS, the Fine Living Network, and the Cooking Channel, he won an Emmy for his Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello cooking show on the Food Network. He was always popular on Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, and Next Iron Chef, where he finished the fourth season as Rick Bayless’s runner-up.

At a number of restaurants, including Caffe Museo in San Francisco, Ajax Tavern in Aspen, and Bisect in Scottsdale, Chiarello has also worked as an executive chef.

Chiarello had four children at the time of his death: three girls (Margaux, Felicia, and Giana) from a previous marriage, as well as an 18-year-old son named Aidan whom he shared with his ex-wife Eileen Marie Gordon. Chiarello and Gordon got divorced in 2019 after the COVID-19 epidemic despite getting married in 2003. In lieu of flowers, the Chiarello family is requesting support from friends and followers to make donations to Meals on Wheels, a nationwide network of 5,000 community-based programs that fights elder hunger and isolation. May he rest in peace at all times.