Naomi Pomeroy, world-renowned chef and star of “Top Chef Masters,” died after becoming trapped underwater while tubing with her husband and a friend in a river in Oregon.
Pomeroy, 49, was tubing with her husband, Kyle Linden Webster, and another person on the Willamette River near Corvallis, Oregon, when the group became caught on an “exposed underwater obstruction,” according to a statement from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. statement Tuesday.
Authorities say the beloved chef was then pulled underwater, became trapped by the leash of his paddleboard and drowned.
The three had reportedly tied together inner tubes and paddle boards before the accident.
The Corvallis Fire Department has yet to recover Pomeroy’s body, but Webster and a third person were rescued from a beach about 60 miles from Portland.
“We are committed to finding Naomi and returning her to her family and loved ones,” Sheriff Van Arsdal said.
Rescue workers have used sonar, underwater cameras and drones to search parts of the 117-mile river, but the large amount of debris has made the search difficult, authorities said.
Pomeroy has become a leader in Portland’s culinary scene since opening his popular farm-to-table restaurant, Beast, in 2007. Oregonian.
Pomeroy’s dream come true James Beard AwardsFollowing the success of her hit restaurant, she won the Best Chef Award in 2014, which recognises the best chef in the North West.
The self-taught chef closed Beast in May 2020, but rebranded it as Ripe Cooperative soon after. However, rising costs of running the restaurant forced him to close in October 2022. report.
Pomeroy is best known for appearing on Bravo’s cooking show “Top Chef Masters” in 2011.
The celebrity chef placed fourth on the show’s third season, which awarded Pomeroy $26,800.
She later appeared on “Top Chef” as a guest judge and guest diners.
In recent years, Pomeroy co-owned the Portland cocktail bar Expatriate with her husband.
The chef also plans to open a new bistro restaurant in the northwest city, he said. Oregonian.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who represents Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District, called the chef, who he worked closely with during the pandemic, and called the news of her death “tragic.”
“Naomi was not only an incredible chef and entrepreneur, she was also an incredible person,” Blumenauer said, according to the outlet.
“Her impact reached far beyond Portland and helped establish our reputation for leadership and food excellence, and she will be greatly missed.”
“Top Chef Masters” contestant and author Mary Sue Milliken also wrote a heartbreaking post upon learning of Pomeroy’s sudden passing.
“I am heartbroken to hear of the tragic loss of talented chef Naomi Pomeroy. She and I bonded during a stressful cooking challenge on Season 3 of Top Chef Masters…. My heartfelt condolences to Kyle, August and her close friends,” she said. Posts On Tuesday X.
On July 12, authorities recovered the 13-year-old boy from the Willamette River after a three-day search. According to KOIN.
The boy had been playing in the water when he went missing.
