Napa Valley chef Michael Chiarello died of an acute allergic reaction over the weekend, his company Gruppo Chiarello announced on Saturday. He was 61.
Chiarello, who was also a known vintner and appeared in many TV shows, founded and helmed the kitchen of Gruppo Chiarello restaurants, which include the concepts Coqueta in San Francisco and Yountville, Calif., as well as the restaurants Bottega and Ottimo, both in Yountville.
Michael Chiarello.|Photo courtesy of Gruppo Chiarello
“Chef Michael Chiarello’s passion for food and life will forever be etched in our kitchens and our hearts,” said the company’s partners in a statement. “While we mourn Michael’s passing, we also celebrate his legacy that continues with his restaurants, Bottega, Coqueta (San Francisco and Napa Valley) and Ottimo.
“In remembrance, we ask that you join us in celebrating his remarkable journey and the incredible impact he had on the world of food, wine and family by inviting you to share a meal with your family and friends to remind all of us that the bonds forged over a meal are among life’s most precious treasures,” the statement said.
Born in Red Bluff, Calif., Chiarello’s love for cooking was sparked by his mother and his Southern Italian roots. He attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York and later landed back in California with the 1987 restaurant Tra Vigne in the Napa Valley.
At that point, he had already been named Food & Wine magazine’s Chef of the Year—just three years after graduation—and in 1995 he was the CIA’s Chef of the Year, and Alumni of the Year in 2011.
Chiarello was also the author of several cookbooks, and he helped revolutionize California’s olive oil industry with his venture Consorzio Flavored Oils.
In 1999, he launched Chiarello Family Vineyards producing small-batch wines dedicated to sustainability. The following year, he debuted a line of artisanal foods, kitchenware and home products under the NapaStyle brand.
Chiarello was perhaps most known, however, for his many appearances on TV. He hosted shows on PBS, Food Network, Fine Living and the Cooking Channel, including the Emmy Award-winning “Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello.”
He also appeared on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and “Top Chef Masters,” as well as the Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef.”
“We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael,” his family said in a statement. “His culinary brilliance, boundless creativity, and unwavering commitment to family were at the core of his being. 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. His legacy will 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 arrangements will remain private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Meals on Wheels.
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