Top Chef Junior Alum Fuller Goldsmith Has Passed Away After His Battle With Cancer
The young chef has passed away after a battle with cancer at age 17.
Top Chef Junior competitor Fuller Goldsmith has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 17.
"We are devastated after hearing about the loss of our Top Chef Junior alum, Fuller Goldsmith. He was an incredible chef and the strongest kid we've ever met," wrote production company, Magical Elves, in an Instagram post on October 6. "From the minute he was introduced to us, we knew he would make an impact on everyone around him and be a positive force in cooking world. To his family, we give all our love as they mourn the loss of someone truly special."
"We all Loved Fuller so much! And will never forget his contagious smile, laugh and butter tricks. Sending so much Love to his family. We will never forget you Fuller!" Vanessa Lachey, host of Top Chef Junior, wrote in the comments.
"We love you Fuller. Thank you for spending so much time with us. Your love of cooking was contagious and you taught us so much about courage and determination. You are loved and missed, and forever in our hearts," wrote Gail Simmons, a judge on the series.
In February, Fuller shared in an Instagram post that his leukemia had returned, and that he would be undergoing radiation treatment for the fifth time.
“Unfortunately the news regarding the tumor was not what I was hoping. The same Leukemia is back. The plan is to start proton radiation at UAB as soon as I can….hopefully within the next two weeks," he wrote in the caption of his post. "I will have 12 days of radiation and then more chemo to make sure it’s gone once and for all. Round 5--I’m ready to fight."
The Alabama native won Chopped Junior in 2017, and donated his $10,000 cash prize to Birmingham Children’s Hospital Division of Hematology and Pediatric Oncology. Later that year, Fuller, 14-years-old at the time, went on to compete on Top Chef Junior. The young chef withdrew from the competition to focus on his battle with leukemia, which he was first diagnosed with when he was only 3-years-old.
The Universal Kids network paid tribute to the Top Chef Junior cheftestant on Twitter.
