Chef Carl Ruiz, Food Network Star, Dies At 44

Television celebrity chef Carl Ruiz has died at 44, according to his Manhattan restaurant La Cubana. “On behalf of the La Cubana family, with heavy hearts, we are deeply saddened to share the passing of our beloved Executive Chef Carl Ruiz,” La Cubana said on Instagram.

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“No words can fully express our sadness at the sudden loss of our dear friend and brother. Beyond his immense culinary talent, Carl’s larger-than-life personality never failed to entertain, enlighten, and uplift every person he encountered along his #Ruizing adventures,” the restaurant posted.

During his 25 years in the restaurant industry, Ruiz opened restaurants all over the world and was a frequent guest on The Food Network as a celebrity judge and competitive chef.

Those who knew and worked with Ruiz are sending out their condolences. Alex Guarnaschelli, Jet Tila and Guy Fieri have spoken out about their loss. Fieri took to Twitter to share, “I have no words to describe what a great friend he was to me and my family,” Fieri said “His ability to make me laugh and smile under any circumstances was only outshined by his talent as a chef.”

The restaurant did not share cause of death.