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New York: Indian-born international chef Floyd Cardoz passed away in the US, according to AVS TV.
His family confirmed that Cardoz died in a New York hospital on Wednesday, the New Jersey-based TV network reported.
Cardoz is the co-owner of Hunger Inc, which runs three restaurants in Mumbai – Bombay Canteen, O’Pedro and Bombay Sweet Shop.
AVS TV said that Hunger Inc. had issued a statement that Cardoz had tested positive of Covid-19 in New York and asked those who had come into contact with him to take precautions.
“As a precautionary measure we have informed the Health Department in Mumbai about the same. We are also reaching out personally to people who have interacted with him during his visit to India, so they can take necessary medical advice should they indicate any symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath)and or (put themselves in) self-quarantine,” the statement said, according to a Mid-Day report.
He was the moving force behind several restaurants in New York and Mumbai, the star of the TV show, “Top Chef Masters” and the author of two books, “One Spice, Two Spice” and “Flavorwalla.”
Cardoz, who collaborated with restaurateur Danny Meyer, won recognition in New York as the executive chef and later co-owner of the restaurant, Tabla, which received rave reviews from several publications.
After the restaurant closed in 2010, he was involved in three New York start-ups, North End Grill, White Street and Paowalla.
According to Harper Collins, which published “One Spice, Two Spice,” Cardoz was born in then Bombay and raised in there and in Goa.
He studied biochemistry before but switched to culinary arts, attending culinary schools in India and Switzerland before moving to New York City.
He worked in Gray Kunz’s legendary kitchen at Lespinasse, becoming chef de cuisine there before teaming up with Meyers to start Tabla.
Several celebrities took to social media to express grief.
Actor Rahul Bhose tweeted: “Shocked to hear the passing away of @floydcardoz. Apart from enjoying sterling meals at his various restaurants in New York & Bombay, he was a wonderful man – always warm, gracious and funny. Any pandemic always gets more ominous when you know those who have succumbed. RIP Floyd.”
Actress Tisca Chopra wrote: “So sad. RIP Floyd.”
Actress Sophie Choudry finds Floyd’s Demise as a “huge loss to the culinary world”.
Pete Wells, NYT’s food critic, tweeted, “Floyd Cardoz was an exceptional talent, a chef equally at home with undiluted Indian flavors as he was with the delicious union of French, Indian and American food, a personal idiom that he invented.”
Chef Kunal Kapur, who is also known for judging “Masterchef India”, too mourned the demise of Floyd. “It is sad to share that chef floyd Cardozo. @floydcardoz is no more. He has been an inspiration to many and I was hoping to cook with him some day.Falling to #covid19 just goes to show that this threat is very real so everyone please take care of yourselves. RIP cheffie. #corona,” Kapur wrote.
Paying condolences to Floyd’s family, television anchor duo Rocky and Mayur, popularly known for their show “Highway On My Plate, wrote: “Rest in Peace Chef @floydcardoz. We are very saddened to hear of the passing away of the super Chef. Our condolences to his family and to @ChefTZac along with the team. @[email protected] culinary genius will be missed!”
