Tom Colicchio, Nancy Silverton And More Pay Tribute After Top Chef Masters’ Naomi Pomeroy Dies In Accident

Tom Colicchio, Nancy Silverton And More Pay Tribute After Top Chef Masters’ Naomi Pomeroy Dies In Accident

As a longtime fan and avid follower of the culinary world, I was absolutely devastated to hear about the untimely passing of Naomi Pomeroy. The news came as a shock to many, including me, when I read about it on social media earlier today. I have been a fan of Naomi’s since her appearance on Top Chef Masters in 2011. Her unique culinary style and unwavering dedication to her craft left a lasting impression on me and countless others.


The beloved chef Naomi Pomeroy from “Top Chef” passed away recently at the age of 49, leaving a gap in the show’s lineup that saddens us deeply. Her loss has been felt especially strongly by longtime judge Tom Colicchio and many others in the culinary world who are now expressing their condolences and paying tribute to her memory.

On Sunday, along the Williamette River, the ex-contestant on Top Chef Masters, Pomeroy, enjoyed tubing with her husband Kyle Linden Webster. Known for his bartending skills and entrepreneurship, Kyle was also there. Their tubes were linked together for a fun ride. However, during an turbulent stretch of water, Pomeroy is said to have fallen off, getting entangled in the paddle board leash connected to their floating accessories (consisting of three floats).

According to PDX Monthly and other Oregon news sources, it’s suspected that she drowned, but her body hasn’t been found yet. KGW8 news mentioned that she’s the fourth person this summer to have met a similar fate in local rivers.

Her family is requesting seclusion following the recent news, yet several prominent figures in the industry have extended their sympathies. One notable figure, Tom Colicchio, who has been an integral part of “Top Chef” since its inception and created memorable moments on reality TV, shared the sad news with some fans via social media and honored Ms. Pomeroy after the unfortunate incident by penning a heartfelt tribute.

Just horrible news, we lost another great chef. My heart goes out to Naomi’s family.

The Top Chef and Bravo team extended their sympathies, expressing their sorrow over X and paying tribute to the Portland chef who left a profound impact on the indie food community.

We extend our deepest sympathies from the Bravo and Top Chef community to Naomi Pomeroy’s loved ones. Her impact as a formidable chef in the culinary world will be long-lasting.

In an Instagram post, Nancy Silverton, a regular judge at the Tournament of Champions and proprietor of Osteria Mozza, expressed heartfelt appreciation for Naomi Pomeroy’s groundbreaking role as a woman in an industry traditionally ruled by males.

A post shared by Nancy Silverton (@nancysilverton)

A photo posted by on

Another Tournament of Champions alum, competitor Amanda Freitag, also wrote on X: 

It’s deeply unfortunate and startling to learn about the untimely passing of Naomi Pomeroy. My heartfelt sympathies are with her family, friends, work associates, and the community that knew and loved her. As I recall our recent text conversation, Naomi’s intelligence, wit, openness, and readiness to offer guidance stood out distinctly.

I’m a huge fan of Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods, and in one of his writings, he spoke fondly about his colleague Naomi, whom he referred to as his industry friend. He praised her culinary skills, calling her an exceptional chef. Furthermore, he expressed his heartfelt hopes for Naomi’s memories to live on.

Naomi Pomeroy held a special place as a talented chef, revered figure, and cherished companion for numerous individuals over the years. May her legacy bring continued blessings to those fortunate enough to have known and loved her.

Pomeroy, a renowned chef based in Portland, was working on an ambitious new project – a monthly French restaurant named PDX PDX – at the time of her unexpected passing. She gained national recognition after competing on Top Chef Masters in 2011 and made multiple appearances as a guest chef on Top Chef, most recently featured in a 2021 episode. In 2014, she received the prestigious James Beard Award. Her culinary ventures, including Beast and Ripe Cooperative, significantly influenced the fine dining scene in the Pacific Northwest. The Portland community, as well as the larger food industry, will deeply mourn her loss.

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2024-07-17 17:37