A chef who appeared on TV show Top Chef has died at the age of 46 after having a heart attack. The death of Howard 'Howie' Kleinberg was confirmed by his mother.
He was well-known for being part of the third season of Top Chef on Bravo television, the Mirror reports. His mother Susan said he died at the weekend following the medical event.
Bravo said in a statement: "The Top Chef family is saddened to learn about the unexpected passing of Howard Kleinberg from season three. Howie’s passion for cooking filled so many and our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends."
Speaking to the Miami Herald, his mother said: "He was married to his passion in life, which was his cooking. I am just finding out how many lives he touched."
The Florida-Born chef was a part of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and run the Miami-based restaurant called Bulldog Barbecue. The Miami New Times reported that he had ran the restaurant for a decade before moving to the Anderson as an executive chef.
He had opened the establishment shortly after his appearance on Top Chef, in which he came seventh. During his time on the show he won two elimination challenges.
Ken Lyon, owner of the Anderson, told Miami New Times he'll remember Howie as a talented chef and a wonderful personality.
The restaurateur had worked with Howie's mother, Susan, a local event planner, after moving to Miami and said: "I didn't know him that well before, but we ended up working together when we reopened the Anderson.
"We got to work together for a year, and I'm so fortunate to have had that time with him."
He continued: "What I can say from cooking alongside him is that he was a real barbecue champion — definitely one of the most talented people in the barbecue business that I've come across."
Howard is survived by mother Susan Kleinberg Ratner and stepfather Ken Ratner as well as his sister Amy Wildstein and her three children.
