Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello passes away at 61 following allergic reaction

Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello, best known for his stint on Food Network, has died following an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock. He was 61.

E! Online reported that his company Gruppo Chiarello announced his death in a statement on Oct. 7, quoting his family.

"We deeply mourn the loss of our beloved patriarch Michael," they began.

"His culinary brilliance, boundless creativity, and unwavering commitment to family were at the core of his being. He brought people together through the joy of shared meals, fostering lasting memories around the table," his loved ones added.

"As we navigate this profound loss, we hold dear the moments we cherished with him, both in his kitchens and in our hearts. His legacy will forever live on in the love he poured into every dish and the passion he instilled in all of us to savor life's flavors," they continued.

The National Health Service refers to anaphylactic shock or anaphylaxis as "a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can develop rapidly." Signs include itchy skin or a raised, red skin rash; swollen eyes, lips, hands and feet; feeling lightheaded or faint; swelling of the mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties; wheezing; abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting; and collapse and unconsciousness.

According to E! Online, Chiarello started his first restaurant business in Napa in 1987. He was named Chef of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine in 1989.

After releasing various cookbooks in 1999, he debuted on television a year later via the cooking series Season by Season. He joined Food Network in 2003 for Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello, which ran until 2008. He still continued appearing in other episodes and programs on the network afterward, with his last guesting in 2016 via the TV series Chopped.