Top Chef Alum Howard Kleinberg Dead At 46 Following Heart Attack

perezhilton.com:

It’s a sad day for Top Chef fans. Howard “Howie” Kleinberg has tragically passed away following a fatal heart attack last Friday, according to his mother.

The 46-year-old had a prolific career in the food industry beginning with his time spent studying the culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University.

After that, he started his first professional job as a chef at the InterContinental Miami Hotel where he really discovered his affinity for cooking, as he once told Southeast Food Service News: He later continued branching out with other hotels and restaurants like the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Timo, Ivy Aventura and the Food Gang — needless to say Howie was a phenomenal and highly sought-after chef! Related: THIS Influencer Tried To Rename Aguas Frescas & Received MAJOR Blowback! The Florida native native also appeared on season 3 of Top Chef after he was recommended by Terry Zarikian, culinary director of the South Beach food festival, where ended up placing seventh!

The Bravo cooking competition’s account shared a few fond words in remembrance on Twitter following the taste guru’s passing: See the full post (below): The restaurateur was clearly thought of very highly of by many.