Top Chef Masters contestant turns 49

Naomi Pomeroy, Portland resident Top Professional Chefs The contestant who was receiver The 2014 James Beard Award-winning chef for Best Female Chef in the Pacific Northwest died Saturday in an accident on the Willamette River, according to multiple reports. She was 49.

Pomeroy was reportedly one of several people swimming in the river near Corvallis on a paddleboard and inner tubes tied together. The group got stuck in the river, According to the Associated Press“Pomroy was pulled underwater and stuck,” as her paddleboard harness wouldn’t let her get up. Her husband, Kyle Linden Webster, and another person were also caught, but they managed to escape to shore. Pomroy didn’t.

“Yesterday and today, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office had personnel… Marine Patrol deputies and search and rescue personnel on the water, continuing efforts to recover the victim. Debris in the river, currents and broken rocks, make it unsafe for divers to conduct any underwater exploratory search. We will continue our efforts to recover the victim, and bring [closure] “To the family and the community,” said Benton County Sheriff Jeff Van Arsdale. He said to the eater Late yesterday.

Pomeroy and head chef Mika Paredes opened Beast in September 2007. The restaurant put her on the map, leading to it being named one of the best restaurants in the world. Food and Wine America’s 10 Best New Chefs of 2009. Beast closed its doors during the pandemic. Her latest venture was Expatriate, a bar she and Webster founded. The bar temporarily closed Monday after her death.

on top chefsPomeroy competed for Seed Savers Exchange, a nonprofit organization based near Decorah, Iowa, that works to preserve heritage plant varieties.

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