Michael Chiarello, Former Meals Community Star and Chef, Dies at 61

Michael Chiarello, the movie star chef and former Meals Community star who hosted Straightforward Entertaining with Michael Chiarello, has died. He was 61.

The chef died at Queen of the Valley Medical Middle in Napa, California, the place he was being handled for an acute allergic response that led to anaphylactic shock, in line with an announcement from his firm, Gruppo Chiarello, launched on Enterprise Wire. Chiarello was surrounded by family and friends when he died.

“We deeply mourn the lack of our beloved patriarch Michael. His culinary brilliance, boundless creativity, and unwavering dedication to household had been on the core of his being,” his household mentioned in an announcement. “He introduced individuals collectively via the enjoyment of shared meals, fostering lasting reminiscences across the desk.”

“As we navigate this profound loss, we maintain pricey the moments we cherished with him, each in his kitchens and in our hearts,” the assertion continued. “His legacy will ceaselessly stay on within the love he poured into each dish and the eagerness he instilled in all of us to savor life’s flavors.”

The movie star chef additionally hosted NapaStyle on the Advantageous Residing Community, in addition to different reveals on PBS and the Cooking Channel. He appeared as a visitor chef on The View and the Immediately present. His long-running Meals Community collection Straightforward Entertaining with Michael Chiarello was nominated for a number of Emmys throughout its 10-year run, and he took dwelling the trophy for excellent service present host in 2005.

Michael Chiarello was born in Pink Bluff, California, in 1962, to an Italian-American household. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1982 after which obtained his bachelor’s diploma in hospitality administration from Florida Worldwide College in 1984. The chef spent a while in South Florida, the place he opened his first restaurant, Toby’s, in Miami. The next yr, he was named Chef of the 12 months by Meals & Wine journal.

He returned to California in 1986, the place he helped open Tra Vigne Restaurant in Napa Valley. Over the course of his profession, he additionally opened eating places like Bottega and Ottimo. Carrie Underwood praised Bottega, telling The Hollywood Reporter in 2018 that it was her “blissful place.” Judy Greer additionally expressed her appreciation for the restaurant, noting it had the most effective “carbs to absorb the wine.”

“Chef Michael Chiarello’s ardour for meals and life will ceaselessly be etched in our kitchens and our hearts. Whereas we mourn Michael’s passing, we additionally have fun his legacy that continues along with his eating places, Bottega, Coqueta (San Francisco and Napa Valley), and Ottimo,” his longtime companions in Gruppo Chiarello mentioned in an announcement. “In remembrance, we ask that you just be part of us in celebrating his exceptional journey and the unbelievable affect he had on the world of meals, wine and household by inviting you to share a meal with your loved ones and pals to remind all of us that the bonds cast over a meal are amongst life’s most treasured treasures.”