Top Chef Masters’ Naomi Pomeroy dies at age 49 after dinghy accident

Award-winning chef Naomi Pomeroy died over the weekend after a dinghy accident in the Willamette River in Oregon. She was 49 years old.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday, July 16, that they are still searching for Pomeroy’s body after she drowned in a river accident on Saturday, July 13. According to the press release, Pomeroy was tied to a paddleboard while her husband, Kyle Linden-Websterand a third person were on tubes attached to each other.

When they encountered strong currents near river mile 132 in Corvallis, Oregon, just upstream from the Mary’s River, Pomeroy “was pulled underwater and was unable to free himself due to the paddleboard leash,” the BCSO report states.

The Corvallis Fire Department was able to Top chef Alum’s body when they arrived on the scene. Firefighters found Webster and the third person safely on shore.

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When BCSO joined the search, they searched downriver on land and water for Pomeroy, but as of Tuesday they had not found her. “Since Saturday, BCSO personnel have been out on the water every day searching for Naomi and will continue to deploy resources until she is found,” the sheriff’s department said in its press release.

“This office is committed to finding Naomi and bringing her home to her family and loved ones,” said Sheriff Van Arsdal said in a statement. “I would like to thank everyone involved in the search and recovery mission during this difficult time.”

Pomeroy, of Portland, is the first drowning victim of the year, according to the sheriff’s office. Since the incident, police have advised river visitors to be aware of “dangerous” currents and hazards. They advised visitors “not to tie yourself to a paddleboard unless you have a quick-release leash” because the uneven terrain makes it too difficult to get out of it.

Police also warned against “tying two or more dinghies together” and urged everyone to wear a life jacket, especially children under 12.

Before her death, Pomeroy was a big name in Oregon’s culinary scene, having opened her first restaurant, Beast, in Portland in 2007. Two years later, she was named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs.

In 2013, she and her husband opened a cocktail bar in Portland called Expatriate. The following year, she won a James Beard Award for Best Female Chef in the Northwest and Pacific.

While Beast closed in 2020, Pomeroy stayed busy, turning the space into a market and bistro called Ripe Cooperative, which closed in 2022. She opened Cornet Custard, an ice cream shop, in May and plans to open a French restaurant next door.

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Pomeroy’s cooking skills led to appearances on Iron Chef and season 3 of Top chef. She later served as a guest judge for seasons 10, 15 and 18 of Top chef.

“The Bravo and Top chef “Our family sends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Chef Naomi Pomeroy,” the network said in a statement via X. “Naomi was an outstanding chef who left a lasting mark on the culinary industry.”

Pomeroy’s family told Portland monthly on Monday, July 15, that there are no plans for a memorial yet and that they are asking for “privacy” at this time.