Michael Chiarello, a Food Network chef for the past 61 years

This chef is known for hosting the Food Network series "Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello," which ran for 10 seasons starting in 2003. The show won three Emmy Awards between 2003 and 2006. (Both Food Network and CNN are part of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.) Chiarello appeared on several other cooking shows such as "Top Chef," "Top Chef Masters," "The Next Iron Chef," "Iron Chef America," and "Superstar Supermarket," making his first appearance in 2013. He has also been a guest chef on programs like "The Today Show," "CBS Early Show," "Regis & Kathy," and "The View."

We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved patriarch, Michael. His culinary brilliance, boundless creativity, and unwavering commitment to family were at the core of his being. The Chiarello family shared in a statement that he brought people together through the joy of shared meals and created lasting memories around the table. The statement continued: "While we mourn this profound loss, we cherish the moments we had with him, both in the kitchen and in our hearts. His legacy will endure forever in the love he poured into every dish and the enthusiasm he instilled in all of us to savor the taste of life."

Chiarello graduated from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, New York, in 1982 and was named "Chef of the Year" by Food & Wine magazine in 1985. He was also chosen as "Chef of the Year" by his alma mater in 1995. He opened his first restaurant, Tra Vigne, in Napa Valley in 1986 and has since developed and opened more than 10 restaurants in the Northern California region, including his popular eateries, Bottega and Coqueta. Chiarello has authored over eight cookbooks since 1995 and opened the Chiarello Family Vineyards in the late '90s.

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