Naomi Pomeroy, renowned chef and "Top Chef Masters" contestant, has tragically passed away at 49 after drowning in a river accident while inner tubing with her husband.
Naomi Pomeroy, the esteemed chef and culinary personality known for her acclaimed Portland restaurant Beast and appearances on "Top Chef Masters," has tragically passed away at 49.
On July 13, Pomeroy and her husband, Kyle Linden Webster, were inner tubing in the Willamette River when their flotilla flipped after hitting a snag. Webster managed to reach shore, but Pomeroy was pulled under the water by the paddle board leash.
Chef Naomi Pomeroy Drowns in Willamette River Accident
Search and rescue operations were immediately deployed, but Pomeroy's body has yet to be recovered. The Benton County Sheriff's Office confirmed the news on Facebook, stating that they are continuing "search efforts for their first drowning victim of the year, 49-year-old Naomi Pomeroy, of Portland, OR."
According to the Sheriff's Office, an investigation revealed that the three floaters on tubes and a paddle board were secured together when they became ensnared in the water. Pomeroy, one of the floaters, was pulled under and held by the leash.
Chef Naomi Pomeroy Drowns in Willamette River Accident
The Corvallis Fire Department arrived first on the scene but was unable to locate Pomeroy. The Benton County Sheriff's Office joined the search downstream, employing sonar, underwater cameras, and drones, but debris hampered their efforts.
Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall expressed his dedication to recovering Pomeroy's body, stating, "I am dedicated to locating Naomi to bring her home to her family and loved ones." Search efforts are ongoing, with a boat deployed daily to retrieve Pomeroy's remains.
Chef Naomi Pomeroy Drowns in Willamette River Accident
Pomeroy's culinary journey began as a self-taught cook. In 2007, she co-founded Beast with Micah Camden and Mika Paredes, a restaurant that quickly gained critical acclaim, earning The Oregonian's Restaurant of the Year in 2008 and Pomeroy the distinction of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs in 2009.
In 2013, Pomeroy and Webster opened the cocktail bar Expatriate in Portland. The following year, she won a James Beard Award for her unwavering dedication to the culinary arts.
Chef Naomi Pomeroy Drowns in Willamette River Accident
Pomeroy's television appearances included Iron Chef in 2010 and a stint as a contestant on Bravo's Top Chef Masters. She also graced the screen as a guest judge on Top Chef seasons 10, 15, and 18.
"The Bravo and Top Chef family send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Chef Naomi Pomeroy," the show stated in a heartfelt statement. "Naomi was a powerhouse chef who made an indelible mark on the culinary industry."
Pomeroy's passion for cooking extended beyond her restaurants. In May, she opened Cornet Custard, an ice cream shop. She was also planning a summer dining experience called Garden Party, which would showcase produce grown in her home garden.
Pomeroy's untimely passing has left the culinary community and her loved ones in mourning. Her legacy as a groundbreaking chef and an inspiration to aspiring cooks will continue to inspire generations to come.
