The search for the body of Naomi Pomeroy, an award-winning Portland chef who drowned in a tragic tubing accident over the weekend, continued Tuesday, authorities said. She was 49 years old.
Pomeroy was tubing with two others on the Willamette River near Corvallis, Oregon, when she suddenly got caught on a rock and was pulled underwater. Police say the leash of her paddleboard was keeping her in the water. Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
The Pomeroy family Portland Monthly Pomeroy learned the other man was her husband, fellow chef Kyle Linden Webster. Fire department personnel were able to safely bring Webster and a third person to shore, but were unable to locate Pomeroy’s body. Sonar, underwater cameras and drones also were unsuccessful in the search due to the large amount of debris, officials said. Search efforts are being reevaluated daily and remain ongoing.
“We are committed to finding Naomi and returning her to her family and loved ones,” Sheriff Van Arsdal said in a statement Tuesday. “I would like to thank everyone involved in the search and recovery efforts and their assistance during this difficult time.”
A pioneer of culinary innovation and a trailblazer in the Portland dining scene, Pomeroy was a self-taught chef who earned the prestigious Beast Award before finding fame at French-inspired restaurant Beast. James Beard Awards In 2014.
Prior to that, he was a Food & Wine magazine Best New Chef He first competed on “Iron Chef” in 2009, and his popularity grew when he competed on “Iron Chef” in 2010 and “Top Chef Masters” in 2011. He also served as a judge on “Top Chef.”
“The entire Portland community is in shock at the sudden and tragic end to the vibrant life of one of its brightest stars,” said food critic Karen Brooks. I have written Featured in Portland Monthly magazine.
Pomeroy recently opened a frozen custard shop. Cornet CustardShe was also in the process of opening a new restaurant next door with fellow restaurateur Luke Dirks.
“I have always been inspired by her incredible creativity and dedication to her work. She was always ahead of her time and remained true to her beliefs about the right way to feed people good food and support the culinary community,” says fellow chef and television personality Amanda Freitag. Said As a tribute to X.
chef Dominique Crenn and Gavin Kaysen He also posted a tribute to Pomeroy, remembering him as a “beautiful soul.”
Pomeroy on Oprah 10 women to watch In 2010, she told the magazine that she wanted to be remembered as “someone who helped make the idea of knowing where our food comes from an everyday phenomenon.”
Rep. Earl Blumenauer mourned Naomi’s death in a statement Monday, saying, “Naomi was not only an incredible chef and entrepreneur, she was an incredible human being. Her impact reached far beyond Portland, helping to establish our reputation for leadership and great food. She will be greatly missed.”
