‘Top Chef Masters’ star Naomi Pomeroy died at age 49 after a ‘drowning accident’ on a river cruise, friends claim

Award-winning chef Naomi Pomeroy has died at the age of 49.

The former Top Chef Masters contestant was confirmed by friends on Monday.

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The woman could not initially be identified because she was one of three people who were traveling in an inflatable boat down the Willamette River outside of Portland, Oregon.

Days later, it was confirmed that the woman was Naomi.

According to KEZI9 News, Naomi was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident when the three tubes tied together hit a tree in the water, causing Noami to go underwater and not resurface.

On Saturday evening around 8:25 p.m., police found Naomi’s body underwater.

As it turned out, a strong undercurrent prevented her body from being found.

The other two people involved, including Naomi’s husband Kyle Linden Webster, survived.

“SO SAD TO HEAR THIS”

Following Naomi’s last Instagram post promoting her latest cooking project titled “Garden Party,” fans flooded the comments section to say goodbye.

The black and white image of a group of people enjoying dinner was shared on July 1.

One follower wrote: “Wow I don’t know what to say. Rest in peace Naomi. So sad to hear this. Speechless.”

“A sad reminder of how fleeting life is and that we must live it to the fullest. It seems like that’s how she’s been living, especially lately,” explained a second.

“This is impossible to understand. You were a light, a legend and an inspiration. Rest in peace,” shouted another.

A fourth person said: “We will miss you!! This is so shocking. Sending love to the family.”

“Sending so much love to your family. I am devastated to hear you passed away. You are a genius,” wrote another.

A sad reminder of how fleeting life is and that we must enjoy it to the fullest.

One of Naomi’s followers Instagram

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‘WHAT A LOSS.

After the tragic news became public, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, who worked with Naomi to help independent restaurants during the pandemic, issued a statement.

He said: “What a loss.

“Naomi was not only a fabulous cook and entrepreneur, but also an amazing human being.

“Their influence extended far beyond Portland and helped establish our leadership and reputation for great food.

“We will miss her very much.”

MORE ABOUT NAOMI

Naomi was born in 1974 in Corvallis, Oregon, south of Portland.

The former television personality revealed that her mother and grandmother were her biggest inspirations when it came to cooking.

In 2013, she appeared on Top Chef Masters.

In 2014, she was named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs and received the James Beard Award for Best Female Chef in the Pacific Northwest.

Two years later, in 2016, she published her first cookbook: “Taste & Technique: Recipes to Elevate Your Home Cooking”.

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