Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons pay tribute to “Top Chef” star Naomi Pomeroy

Naomi Pomeroy is fondly remembered even after her accidental death at the age of 49.

On Saturday, July 13, Top chef The star was out on an inflatable boat with her husband Kyle Webster and another person on the Willamette River in Oregon when she did not resurface after falling into the water.

After her family confirmed that the cook was feared drowned on Monday, July 15, her body was recovered by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, July 17, “from a shallow spot in the bedrock near the middle of the river.”

Following the news release, Pomeroy’s colleagues, including Padma Lakshmi, paid tribute to her on social media.

The previous Top chef The host and judge remembered Pomeroy as someone who was “always a welcome presence at the judges’ table.”

“I was fortunate to get to know this inspirational woman over the years. My condolences to her loved ones; what an incredible loss to our community,” she added in an Instagram post.

Top chef Judge Gail Simmons dedicated a tribute to them on Instagram with many photos from their time together, in which she remembered their first meeting.

“Being heartbroken is not enough,” she wrote. “I first met Naomi Pomeroy the night she won her @foodandwine award for Best New Chef in 2009. In fact, the internet reminded me today that I was the one who presented her with the award. Fifteen years and countless laughs, texts and meals later, I am just as impressed by her culinary talent, generosity, sharp wit and general brilliance as I was then.”

Simmons described Pomeroy as someone who “always fought hard” for those she loved.

“When we moved to Portland for 10 weeks of isolation during the pandemic to photograph @bravotopchef, she and her @colibripdx team sent me the most stunning bouquet of dahlias I have ever seen. We spent hours (6 feet apart) together in her garden and on the beach,” Simmons wrote.

The culinary expert ended her post by thanking Pomeroy for making the restaurant industry “so much stronger, wiser and gentler.”

Top chef also made a statement about X, formerly Twitter.

“The Bravo and Top Chef family extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Chef Naomi Pomeroy. Naomi was an outstanding chef who left a lasting mark on the culinary industry,” reads a post on Tuesday, July 16.

Other food industry representatives also paid tribute to Pomeroy’s latest Instagram post.

Chef Matt Jennings wrote: “You have done it. You have become the person and chef we all aspire to be, or at least strive to be like. You have led with grace, determination, subtle ferocity, empathy and love.”

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After praising Pomeroy for her “vision and enthusiasm” for her craft, he ended his comment by saying, “We know you are looking down on us with that unmistakable sparkle in your eye and warm smile. We love you, Naomi. Forever. ❤️”