“We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael,” his family said in a statement. “At the heart of who he was were his amazing cooking skills, limitless creativity, and unwavering devotion to his family.” Through the joy of shared meals, he brought people together and helped them make memories that will last a lifetime.

They promise to “hold dear the moments we cherished with him, both in the kitchens and in our hearts” as they deal with their grief. They know that the love he put into every dish and the desire he gave us to enjoy life’s flavors will “forever live on in the love he poured into every dish,” as will his legacy in life and in his work.

Many people have seen Michael Chiarello on TV, and his Italian-influenced Californian food is well known. He also hosted a popular cooking show on PBS, the Fine Living Network, and the Culinary Channel. For his Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello food show on the Food Network, he won an Emmy.

He was always a fan favorite on Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, and Next Iron Chef. At the end of the fourth season, he came in second place to Rick Bayless. He has also been the head chef at a number of restaurants, such as Caffe Museo in San Francisco, Ajax Tavern in Aspen, and Bisect in Scottsdale.

Chiarello died leaving behind four children: an 18-year-old son named Aidan that he had with his ex-wife Eileen Marie Gordon, three girls (Margaux, Felicia, and Giana) from a previous marriage, and a boy. Chiarello and Gordon got married in 2003, but in 2019 they chose to split up because of the COVID-19 virus.

The Chiarello Group Issues a Statement About Michael Chiarello