Naomi Pomeroy, ‘Top Chef Masters’ Alum, Dead at 49

Naomi Pomeroy, a beloved and renowned chef who competed on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, has died. She was 49.

According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon, Pomeroy tragically became the area’s first drowning victim of the year when she drowned on July 13 at approximately 8:25 p.m. in the Willamette River in Corvallis about 100 yards upstream from the Mary’s River.

Authorities say Pomeroy and two adults on tubes and a paddleboard (two tubes were secured together and the paddle board was attached to Pomeroy) became entangled on an exposed snag in the water. Pomeroy, authorities say, was pulled under the water and unable to free herself due to the paddleboard leash. 

The two adults were safely transported to a boat launch while authorities searched for Pomeroy’s body. Deputies and personnel with the Corvallis Fire Department searched the area using sonar, underwater cameras and drones, but were not able to locate Pomeroy due to heavy debris in the water. Search efforts were suspended after sundown and have continued every day since Saturday in search of her body. Authorities say they will continue searching until her body is recovered.

“This Office is dedicated to locating Naomi and bringing her home to her family and loved ones,” Sheriff Van Arsdall said. “I want to thank all involved in the search and recovery mission during this difficult time.”

According to The Oregonian, Pomeroy’s husband, Kyle Linden Webster, is among the two adults who survived the accident.

Pomeroy was a beloved chef in Portland who is credited with the city’s culinary explosion, first when she opened her restaurant, Beast, in 2007. She later competed on season 3 of Top Chef Master, which aired in spring 2011. She finished fourth in the competition and took home a prize of $26,800. Pomeroy would also later return to Top Chef as a guest judge and guest diner.

Among her accolades include being recognized by Food & Wine and Oprah magazines as “Chef to Watch.” Then, in 2014, she was bestowed with the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Pacific Northwest. 

Along with her husband, Pomeroy also owned the Portland cocktail bar, Expatriate. The doors were closed Monday, according to KOIN, who also reported that mourners left flowers outside the establishment in honor of Pomeroy.

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