TOP Chef alum and fan favorite Howard “Howie” Kleinberg has died at 46.
Kleinberg’s mother, Susan, confirmed to the Miami Herald that he died from a heart attack over the weekend.
Chef Howie’s love of barbecue helped him open up his restaurant in Miami, Bulldog BBQ[/caption]
“I am just finding out how many lives he touched. He was married to his passion in life, which was his cooking,” his heartbroken mother told the outlet.
Bravo‘s Top Chef show announced Howie’s death on Twitter on Tuesday, saying: “The #TopChef 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.”
The South Florida native studied at the culinary school at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami.
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Howie finished seventh during the third season of Top Chef in 2007.
After his time on the show, he opened his own restaurant in North Miami, Bulldog Barbecue.
According to his obituary, his love for fine dining drove him to participate annually in the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.
Chef Howie is survived by his mother, Susan, stepfather Ken Ratner, his sister, Amy Wildstein, and his beloved dog Sky.
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