Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello, best known for his award-winning tenure on the Food Network, has died. He was 61.
Chiarello died Saturday at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California, where he was undergoing treatment for "an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock," the chef’s company Gruppo Chiarello told Variety and People magazine. The cause of Chiarello’s allergic reaction was not disclosed.
“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 said in a statement obtained by the outlets. "He brought people together through the joy of shared meals, fostering lasting memories around the table."
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Chiarello and Gruppo Chiarello for more details.
Born in January 1962 in Turlock, California, Chiarello made his mark in the culinary world with a unique style that infused the wine country cuisine of Napa Valley with the traditions of his Southern Italian roots.
After graduating from The Culinary Institute of America, Chiarello opened his first restaurant, Toby’s, in Miami at the age of 22, according to Chiarello’s official website. He went on to design and open the Tra Vigne Restaurant in Napa Valley, as well as launch the high-end olive oil brand Olio Santo and author several cookbooks.
Chiarello’s cookbook “Tra Vigne Cookbook” laid the groundwork for his TV debut with the PBS cooking series “Season by Season,” which premiered in 2000.
In 2003, Chiarello became the host of Food Network’s “Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello.” The series earned Chiarello a Daytime Emmy for outstanding service show host in 2005, per Chiarello’s IMDb page.
In addition to “Easy Entertaining,” Chiarello made appearances on Food Network shows such as “The Next Iron Chef,” “Restaurant: Impossible,” “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” and “Chopped.” He also competed on Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” in 2009.
In 2008, Chiarello opened the Italian restaurant Bottega in Yountville, California, and the NapaStyle retail store, which featured a panini bar and café, wine shop and olive oil bar, according to Chiarello’s website.
"As we navigate this profound loss, we hold dear the moments we cherished with him, both in his kitchens and in our hearts," Chiarello’s family said. "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.”
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