The star chef Michael Chiarello’s death was caused by an allergic reaction, according to the Napa County coroner.
The official says the allergic reaction set off an anaphylactic shock, which in turn led Chiarello to suffer a heart attack, the coroner told TMZ on Wednesday.
The celebrity chef died on October 7 at the age of 61, but so far it is unknown what exactly sparked his allergic reaction.
According to the coroner, doctors were able to restart Chiarello’s heart after he was taken to Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California.
However, he later succumbed to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a form of brain dysfunction caused by a prolonged lack of oxygen-rich blood flow, which would have been shut off when he suffered his heart attack.
Medical emergency: Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello died in October at age 61 from an allergic reaction, the Napa County coroner told TMZ. The reaction precipitated an ultimately fatal heart attack; seen on Supermarket Superstar in 2013
Among the coroner’s notable findings was that Chiarello had cocaine in his system from earlier drug use.
He described the stimulant’s presence as a ‘significant condition,’ but he stressed that Chiarello’s death was not brought on by a drug overdose.
There are still questions unanswered about his allergic reaction, as it’s unclear what may have caused it, and whether it was a food-based allergen or something else, such as an insect sting.
The Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello would certainly have been versed in numerous foods due to his profession as a chef, but allergies can develop over time and build up in severity over years of exposure.
Although it is most common for adult-onset allergies to manifest in one’s 20s and 30s, adults of any age can still develop new allergies.
The most widely reported triggers causing anaphylactic shock are insect stings (wasp and bee stings in particular), peanuts and tree nuts, other foods such as milk and seafood, and certain medicines – such as antibiotics.
A representative for the late star previously revealed that ‘doctors don’t know what caused the allergic reaction’ in a statement to People.
The former Food Network star, known for his Italian-influenced California cuisine, was treated for over a week at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa before his death.
‘The doctors don’t know what caused the allergic reaction, and neither does the family. They may never know,’ the representative stated.
False hope: His heart was restarted at the hospital, but he later succumbed to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, or brain dysfunction caused by a prolonged lack of oxygen-rich blood flow; seen in 2013 in Napa, Calif.
Drugs: Among the coroner’s findings was that Chiarello had cocaine in his system from earlier drug use, but he did not die of a drug overdose; seen in 2015 in Miami Beach, Florida
Following Chiarello’s death, his family members, who were with him when he died, released a statement that read: ‘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.
‘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.’
Born in 1962, the passionate cook followed his childhood dream of becoming a world-class chef and hosted a slew of television shows for a decade.
He was named Food & Wine magazine’s Chef of the Year in 1985, and later received CIA’s Chef of the Year award in 1995. He was also recognized by the James Beard Foundation and authored many cookbooks.
Chiarello hailed from an Italian–American family and came up in the central California community of Turlock.
He left his sunny hometown for Hyde Park, New York, to study at the Culinary Institute of America.
After graduating in 1982, Chiarello attended Florida International University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, receiving a bachelor’s degree two years later.
Allergic reaction: ‘The doctors don’t know what caused the allergic reaction and neither does the family. They may never know,’ the representative stated
Gone too soon: The Food Network star was being treated for over a week at Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, California, before passing; pictured at 32nd Daytime Emmy Awards
Celebrity chef: The Italian-American culinary whiz and TV host appeared on a slew of television shows and opened several restaurants
It was then he kicked off his professional career by opening his first restaurant, Toby’s, in Miami.
Chiarello found immediate fame and moved back home to open Tra Vigne Restaurant in Napa Valley, where he acted as Executive Chef and a partner for the restaurant — and seven others.
As his influence grew further, Chiarello hosted shows on PBS, Food Network, Fine Living and Cooking Channel for a decade, also making appearances as a guest chef on the Today show and The View.
He served as a judge on Bravo’s Top Chef and Top Chef Masters, and, in 2011, competed on the fourth season of Food Network’s Next Iron Chef.
He will be most remembered for his show Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello, which ran for ten seasons on Food Network and scored him a Daytime Emmy in 2005 for Outstanding Service Show Host.
Toward the end of his life, Chiarello was steeped in legal trouble including allegations of sexual harassment and wage stealing from two former employees in 2016.
Following the accusations, Chiarello continued his public appearances and prompted a public outcry when he was invited to be a part of the South Beach Food and Wine Festival in 2018.
Afterward, the chef worked on his restaurants, Bottega and Coqueta, and largely retreated from the spotlight.
Well known: He appeared on networks like PBS, Food Network, Fine Living and Cooking Channel throughout his career; Pictured in 2014
Big loss: He hosted a slew of television shows for a decade, including the Emmy-winning series Easy Entertaining With Michael Chiarello; Pictured 2014
‘Chef Michael Chiarello’s passion for food and life will forever be etched in our kitchens and our hearts,’ his Gruppo Chiarello partners said in a statement.
The group oversees his restaurants Bottega, Coqueta — with two locations in San Francisco and Napa Valley — and Ottimo.
‘In remembrance, we ask that you join us in celebrating his remarkable journey and the incredible impact he had on the world of food, wine, and family by inviting you to share a meal with your family and friends to remind all of us that the bonds forged over a meal are among life’s most precious treasures,’ the statement read.
Chiarello’s has asked for donations to Meals on Wheels in place in lieu of flowers.
