Padma Lakshmi, 53, has spoken out in regards to the catastrophic demise of “Top Chef Masters” superstar Naomi Pomeroy.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the untimely death of chef Naomi Pomeroy,” Lakshmi, 53, wrote by way of Instagram on Thursday.
Lakshmi persevered, “She was always a welcome presence at judges table and I was blessed to get to know this inspiring woman over the years.”
Pomery, 49, died on July 13 in a freak drowning collision.
She used to be tubing together with her husband, Kyle Linden Webster, and someone else at the Willamette River akin Corvallis, Ore., when the crowd were given stuck on an “exposed snag in the water,” the Benton County Sheriff’s Place of work wrote in a statement Tuesday.
Consistent with officers, the chef used to be pulled beneath the aqua and become trapped through a paddle board leash connected to her, inflicting her to drown.
Webster and the 3rd particular person had been rescued at the coastline, about 60 miles out of doors Portland.
Pomeroy’s frame used to be recovered on Wednesday, 4 days next she drowned.
Pomeroy, who used to be identified for her farm-to-table eating place Beast, used to be on “Top Chef Masters” in 2011. She completed fourth within the display’s 3rd season, profitable $26,800.
She additionally returned to “Top Chef” as a visitor pass judgement on in Seasons 10, 15 and 18.
In 2014, she upcoming went directly to win the James Beard Award, which is given to the Absolute best Chef within the Northwest.
“Top Chef” pass judgement on Gail Simmons additionally posted a tribute on social media.
“Heartbroken doesn’t cut it,” she wrote on Thursday. “I first met Naomi Pomeroy the night she won her @foodandwine Best New Chef award in 2009. In fact, the internet reminded me today that I was the one who handed it to her. Fifteen years and countless laughs, texts and meals later I’m just as in awe of her cooking talent, generosity, sharp wit and general brilliance as I was back then.”
Simmons, 48, described Pomeroy as an individual who “fought hard always – for her industry, her friends and loved ones.”
She concluded: “Our country’s restaurant industry is so much stronger, wiser, gentler because of her…thank you Naomi for giving so much of yourself to us.”
Fellow “Top Chef Masters” contestant and writer Mary Sue Milliken additionally posted in regards to the tragedy on social media.
“Devastated to hear we tragically lost the super talented chef Naomi Pomeroy. She and I bonded over stressful cooking challenges on Top Chef Masters season 3…… my heart goes out to Kyle, August and all her dear friends,” she posted by way of X (previously Twitter) on Tuesday.
The community wrote: “The Bravo and ‘Top Chef’ family send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Chef Naomi Pomeroy. Naomi was a powerhouse chef who made an indelible mark on the culinary industry.”
Lakshmi, who hosted the Bravo form for 17 years from 2006 to 2023, completed her tribute writing, “My condolences to her loved ones, what an incredible loss to our community.”
