The American audiovisual landscape is in mourning: Michael Chiarello, emblematic chef of Top Chef US, passed away this Saturday October 7, 2023 at the age of 61. If his face and his name do not speak to the French, the man was an emblematic juror of the show Top chef, broadcast on the Bravo network since 2006. The show was adapted in 2010 by M6, and still achieves excellent audiences, after 14 seasons. The new season will also be available in a few months on the private channel, still hosted by Stéphane Rotenbergand with Hélène DarrozePaul Pairet, Philippe Etchebest and the latest addition Glenn Viel.
The circumstances of the American chef’s death are as brutal as they are upsetting: as noted by several consistent American media, the sixty-year-old was hospitalized in California around ten days ago. following a serious allergic reaction. Unfortunately, Michael Chiarello was unable to recover from his anaphylactic shock. The risk of death following anaphylaxis is relatively rare: according to CE-MIR, there are three million deaths from anaphylaxis each year worldwide, with lethality estimated at 0.3%. In other words, out of 1000 patients who suffer from anaphylactic shock, 3 succumb to it.
Little known in France, Michael Chiarello was a star of American gastronomy, but also of television. In addition to his participation in the annals of Top Chef USthe man had also hosted several cooking shows for the Food Network, and even received an Emmy Award for one of them, baptized Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello. A few years ago, he was the star of a spin-off of Top chefbaptized Top Chef Masters, in which he took the place of the candidates, alongside other famous chefs. He reached the final of the competition, losing facing chef Rick Bayless.
The family reacted in a press release
In a press release relayed by the production company of Top Chef US, the family of Michael Chiarello reacted to the sudden death of the cook: “We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved Michael. His culinary talent, his boundless creativity and his unwavering commitment to his family were at the core of his being. He brought people together through the joy of shared meals (…) As we go through this terrible loss, we remember the moments we shared and cherished with him , both in his kitchens and in our hearts. His legacy will live forever thanks to the love he put into each of his dishes and the passion he instilled in each of us to savor the flavors of life ” testified with emotion the relatives of the deceased.