Authorities in Oregon recover body of award-winning chef who drowned in river accident

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon state authorities announced Wednesday that they have recovered the body of award-winning chef Naomi Pomeroy after she drowned in a river accident.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said it found her body in the Willamette River between Corvallis and Albany Wednesday morning after canoeists saw her and called 911.

Authorities said her family had been notified and her body had been handed over to a funeral home.

Pomeroy died Saturday night after the group she was with on the inflatable boat became stuck on an exposed tree stump in the water, the sheriff’s office said. Pomeroy was pulled underwater and held by a paddleboard leash attached to her, Capt. Chris Duffitt said. She was 49 years old.

Authorities said the other two people in the group were safely taken to a boat ramp.

Pomeroy rose to prominence in Portland’s dining scene after opening Beast in 2007. The restaurant paved the way for her to win the coveted James Beard Award for Best Female Chef in the Northwest in 2014.

The restaurant closed during the coronavirus pandemic, but Pomeroy had just opened a new frozen custard shop. She was also known for her appearances on cooking shows such as Top Chef Masters and owned the Portland cocktail bar Expatriate with her husband.

Since Pomeroy’s death, we have received tributes from numerous chefs and Oregon celebrities, including U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, whose district includes much of Portland.

“Naomi was not only a great chef and entrepreneur, but also an amazing human being,” Blumenauer said in a statement. “Her influence extended far beyond Portland and helped establish our leadership and reputation for excellent cuisine. She will be greatly missed.”