Naomi Pomeroy, well-known for her culinary abilities on Top Chef, has unexpectedly passed away.
The Portland chef’s body was discovered in a river on July 17, after he was reported missing a few days earlier. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office verified that she drowned.
The inquiry revealed that Pomeroy, her husband Kyle Linden Webster, and a friend were entangled while riding tubes and a paddleboard that were attached.
Corvallis Fire Department personnel rescued the other two individuals on the shore and safely took them to a boat launch. Unfortunately, the sheriff’s office reported that they were unable to locate Pomeroy at first.
At the time of her abduction, Sheriff Van Arsdall stated, “This office is committed to finding Naomi and returning her home to her family and loved ones. I’d want to thank everyone participating in the search and recovery mission during this terrible period.”
Her body was located after it was spotted by a group of canoers. According to officials, she was unable to free herself because of the paddle board leash.
Pomeroy was a key player in Oregon’s culinary scene. She established a reputation for herself in Portland after founding her first restaurant, Beast, in 2007. Two years later, she was named one of Food and Wine’s Best New Chefs.
In 2013, she and her husband opened the Portland cocktail bar Expatriate. The following year, she got the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific.
Pomeroy featured on Iron Chef and Top Chef Masters, and she also served as a guest judge on Top Chef in seasons 10, 15, and 18.
Following Naomi Pomeroy’s d3ath, the show and its network, Bravo, released a statement on X, expressing their condolences.
The Bravo and Top Chef family send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Chef Naomi Pomeroy. Naomi was a powerhouse chef who made an indelible mark on the culinary industry.”
