Gina Heslop
The Chiarello family is mourning the loss of their beloved patriarch, Michael Chiarello, a renowned celebrity chef and TV host. Michael passed away on October 6th after a week-long battle with an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock. He was 61 years old at the time and was receiving treatment at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California, surrounded by friends and family.
Michael Chiarello’s legacy is deeply rooted in his culinary excellence and his ability to bring people together through his passion for cuisine. His family released a statement expressing their grief, highlighting his culinary brilliance, creativity, and unwavering commitment to family. They fondly remembered how he brought people together through shared meals, creating lasting memories around the table.
Known for his Italian-influenced California cuisine, Michael Chiarello was a household name in the culinary world. He received an Emmy for his cooking show, “Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello,” on the Food Network and had popular shows on PBS, Fine Living Network, and the Cooking Channel. He was a frequent presence on culinary competition shows like Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, and Next Iron Chef.
Chiarello’s career also included executive chef positions at several renowned restaurants, including Caffe Museo in San Francisco, Ajax Tavern in Aspen, and Bisect in Scottsdale.
At the time of his passing, Michael Chiarello had four children: an 18-year-old son named Aidan from his marriage to Eileen Marie Gordon and three daughters, Margaux, Felicia, and Giana, from a previous marriage. He and Eileen Marie Gordon had married in 2003 but divorced in 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gruppo Chiarello, the restaurant group founded by Michael Chiarello, expressed their deep appreciation for his passion for food and life. They emphasized that his legacy would forever live on in their kitchens and hearts and encouraged everyone to celebrate his remarkable journey. The group also praised his restaurants, including Bottega, Coqueta, and Ottimo, which would continue to honor his memory.
In an effort to honor Michael Chiarello’s legacy, the family asked fans and followers to make donations to Meals on Wheels, a network dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation, in lieu of sending flowers. Michael Chiarello’s sudden passing is undoubtedly a tragedy, leaving a void in the culinary world and in the hearts of his family, friends, and fans. May he rest in peace.
