Michael Chiarello, the American chef and TV host known for his Italian-influenced California cuisine, has died at age 61.
Chiarello died Friday night, surrounded by family and friends, at Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa, California.
Keep reading the article to know more about Michael Chiarello, including who he was, how he died, what was the cause of his death, tributes for him, and much more!
Michael Chiarello Biography
Michael Chiarello was an American celebrity chef who was known for Italian-influenced California cuisine.
He hosted the cooking show Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello on Food Network and NapaStyle on Fine Living Network.
Chiarello owned a winery called Chiarello Family Vineyards, located in Yountville, CA. He was the owner of a tapas restaurant named Coqueta and an Italian restaurant named Bottega and has locations in Napa Valley, California and San Francisco, California.
Chiarello also owned NapaStyle in Yountville, CA, which sold a selection of exclusive drinkware, serverware, and designer tabletop pieces but closed on January 4, 2016.
He was a competitor on the fourth season of The Next Iron Chef. In the spring of 2013, Chiarello opened a tapas restaurant named Coqueta on San Francisco’s waterfront.
In March 2016, two former employees of Coqueta filed lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and labor law violations against Michael Chiarello and his restaurant group Gruppo Chiarello; the sexual harassment lawsuit was settled in 2017.
Early life and career
Born to an Italian-American family, Chiarello became prominent at a young age.
After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1982, he studied hospitality management at Florida International University, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1984.
The next year, he opened The Grand Bay Hotel in Coconut Grove, Florida, and Toby’s Bar and Grill. He was honored as 1985’s Chef of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine.
Later in the 1980s, Chiarello moved back to his home state of California, making his home in the Napa Valley.
One of his first endeavors was to be a chef at The Heritage Restaurant in Turlock, which failed and went bankrupt.
He opened the Tra Vigne restaurant, creating a menu influenced by the cuisine of his family’s native Calabria and rife with local seasonal ingredients.
He has since served as executive chef in numerous American restaurants including Caffe Museo in San Francisco, Ajax Tavern and Bump’s in Aspen, Colorado, and Bisect in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Media career
His first cooking show, Season by Season, debuted on PBS in 2001. He hosted two more series for PBS, Michael Chiarello’s Napa and Michael Chiarello’s Napa:
Casual Cooking, over the next two years before moving to the Food Network to host Easy Entertaining in 2003.
In 2004, his show NapaStyle premiered on the Food Network’s sister network Fine Living Network.
In 2009, Chiarello was a contestant on Top Chef Masters, winning his preliminary round and advancing to the championship round, placing second to winner Rick Bayless.
Reruns of Easy Entertaining now appear on Food Network’s sister network Cooking Channel.
In 2011, Chiarello appeared in the Visit California promotional film aimed at boosting tourism from the UK.
Michael Chiarello Age
Michael Chiarello born 10 November 1945; died 6 October 2023 (aged 61).
Michael Chiarello Wife
Chiarello married Eileen Marie Gordon, with whom he had one son, Aidan, born in 2005.
The celebrity chef walked down the aisle with his spouse in 2003 when he was 41 years old.
Their marriage came months after he had divorced his first wife whom he had welcomed three of his four kids with.
The couple was rumored to have been heading for a divorce back in 2019 but no further details were revealed. It was reported Chiarello filed for divorce from Gordon, per TMZ.
Michael Chiarello Children
Before his death in October 2023, Michael was a father of four who survived him alongside his wife, Eileen.
The names of his children are Margaux Chiarello, Felicia Chiarello, Giana Chiarello, and Aidan Chiarello.
Michael Chiarello Parents
Michael Chiarello was born to F. Harry (a banker) and Antoinette (Aiello) Chiarello;
Both of Chiarello’s parents were immigrants from southern Italy. They settled in the Central Valley of California.
Michael Chiarello Siblings
Chiarello was not known to be an only child, however, details about his siblings are unclear.
If he indeed had sister and brother, then it’s evident they do not want public attention.
Michael Chiarello Family
Mother: Antoinette (Aiello) Chiarello
Father: F. Harry Chiarello
Siblings: Unavailable
Spouse: Eileen Marie Gordon
Children: Felicia Chiarello, Margoux Chiarello, Aidan Chiarello, Giana Chiarello.
Michael Chiarello Net Worth
Michael Chiarello reportedly died a millionaire. He accumulated an impressive fortune over the years. Before he died, he had an estimated net worth of $3.5 million
Michael Chiarello Cause of Death
Michael Chiarello died at the age of 61 on October 6, 2023, after being hospitalized for an allergic reaction that led to anaphylaxis.
“We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael. 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,” the Chiarello family shared in a statement.
The statement continued, “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 forever live on in the love he poured into every dish and the passion he instilled in all of us to savor life’s flavors.”
You are free to share this article via the various social media platforms. Kindly follow us on Facebook and Instagram .
