Padma Lakshmi Pays Tribute to the Late Chef Floyd Cardoz: "This Is a Huge Loss"
Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio, and more remember the late Top Chef Masters winner.
The culinary world is heartbroken over the passing of Chef Floyd Cardoz due to complications from coronavirus (COVID-19) on Wednesday, March 25.
Tributes have been pouring in for the late chef, who won Season 3 of Top Chef Masters, including from Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, who praised Cardoz not only for his impact on the culinary world but also for proudly representing Indian culture.
"@floydcardoz made us all so proud. Nobody who lived in NY in the early aughts could forget how delicious and packed Tabla always was. He had an impish smile, an innate need to make those around him happy, and a delicious touch," Padma tweeted. "This is a huge loss not only for the professional food world, but for Indians everywhere. My heart goes out to his wife Barkha and their whole family. RIP Floyd."
Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio also tweeted, "[Thoughts] are with Floyd’s family, rest peacefully my friend."
Hugh Acheson, who competed with Cardoz in Top Chef Masters Season 3, called the late chef "a gem" on Twitter. "Floyd. You were a gem. You were an amazing human and chef. You were a father and husband full of love and grace," he tweeted. "I am so sorry. I love you. Rest in Peace my friend."
Danny Meyer, who worked with Cardoz to open North End Grill in New York City in 2012, tweeted about his late friend and colleague, "Love you so much @floydcardoz."
Cardoz passed away at Mountainside Medical Centre in New Jersey, PEOPLE confirmed with his hospitality group, Hunger Inc. The chef, who had been working in Mumbai, India, where he owns several restaurants, had been admitted into the hospital "with a viral fever," about a week after arriving in New York City on March 8, Hunger Inc. said in a statement on Instagram on March 17.
"Bravo and the Top Chef family are deeply saddened by the passing of Chef Floyd Cardoz. Floyd was a talented chef who competed and won Top Chef Masters. He was thoughtful, kind and his smile illuminated a room," a Bravo spokesperson said in a statement following the news of Cardoz's passing. "He was an inspiration to chefs around the world and we offer our deepest sympathy to his family and friends."
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