Top Chef Masters Star Dies From Coronavirus
Chef Floyd Cardoz has died from the novel coronavirus. He passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, in New Jersey. The 59-year-old was the winner of season 3 of Top Chef Masters.
Hunger Inc., the hospitality group where Cardoz was the culinary director, released a statement saying, “It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing away of Chef Floyd Cardoz.” (1)
The world-renowned chef grew up in Mumbai, India. Cardoz attended culinary school at Les Roches in Switzerland before moving to New York.
His restaurant, Tabla, which opened in 1998, was one of the first fine-dining Indian restaurants. People still consider it one of the most groundbreaking restaurants in New York City, although it closed in 2010. Cardoz opened several other successful restaurants in both New York and India. Pao Walla and Bombay Bread Bar were both successful restaurants in New York. And Bombay Canteen and O Pedro are still popular Mumbai establishments. (1, 2)
Admitted to the Hospital, Feverish
Cardoz admitted himself to the hospital on March 17 with a fever. At the time, his hospital stay was just considered a precautionary measure. (1)
Communicating through an Instagram post, he wrote, “Sincere apologies everyone. I am sorry for causing undue panic around my earlier post. I was feeling feverish and hence as a precautionary measure, admitted myself into hospital in New York.” He added, “I was hugely anxious about my state of health and my post was highly irresponsible causing panic in several quarters. I returned to New York on March 8th via Frankfurt.” (3)
Hunger Inc., released a statement about his hospitalization over social media. It read, “Chef Floyd Cardoz (59 years), Culinary Director, Hunger Inc was admitted into hospital in New York with a viral fever. Chef Floyd who was earlier in Mumbai left the city on March 8th for New York via Frankfurt airport. He is being closely monitored for his condition and we wish him a speedy recovery.” (4)
The chef had returned from a trip to India on March 8. From another of his Instagram posts, it appears that he was there with comedian Aziz Ansari filming David Chang’s Netflix show Ugly Delicious. (2, 5)
Ansari is known for his roles on the shows Master of None and Parks and Rec. He has not publicly shared that he is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. (6)
Cardoz tested positive for COVID-19 on March 18. He was receiving treatment at Mountainside Medical Center in New Jersey. (1)
Culinary World Reacts to Cardoz’s Death
Upon the news of Cardoz’s death, the culinary world took to social media to express their grief. David Chang, the host of Ugly Delicious and founder of the Momofuku restaurant group, shared an Instagram post saying, “Heartbroken over the loss of Floyd Cardoz to COVID-19. Rest in peace Floyd…we will carry on your beautiful legacy.” (7)
Preeti Mistry, chef of Juhu Beach Club in Oakland, told CNN, “I have always snarked that the media acted like he was the only Indian chef in the [United States]. And yet he was that guy that everybody looked to and followed.” (1) Mistry added, “And now he is gone […] And I’m so angry at this whole virus and world.” (1)
Writer Priya Krishna tweeted, “Floyd did so much to advance the cause of Indian food and Indian people in America. He was generous, funny, and warm, and I’ve always wished I could turn back time and eat at Tabla. Sending love to his family.” (9)
Huge Loss
Padma Lakshmi, host of Top Chef, took to Twitter to share her thoughts on losing Cardoz. She wrote that Floyd “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.” She added, “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.” (8)
After tweeting about her grief over the death of Top Chef Masters winner Cardoz, Lakshmi returned to Twitter to remind people to stay safe during the novel coronavirus crisis. She wrote, “Please urge your loved ones to stay home. Young, healthy people are dying from COVID-19. Please protect yourselves.” (9)
