Oregon officials announced on Wednesday that the body of renowned chef Naomi Pomeroy has been found after a tragic drowning incident in a river. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office shared that Pomeroy’s body was discovered in the Willamette River, located between Corvallis and Albany, following a report from canoers who spotted it and called 911.
Pomeroy, aged 49, lost her life on Saturday evening when the group she was tubing with encountered a snag in the water, causing her to be pulled under and trapped by a paddle board leash. The other two individuals in the group were safely rescued and transported to a nearby boat launch.
Having made a notable impact on the Portland culinary scene with her restaurant, Beast, which opened in 2007, Pomeroy went on to receive a prestigious James Beard award in 2014 for best chef in the Northwest. Her endeavors extended to television appearances on shows like Top Chef Masters and ownership of the Portland cocktail bar, Expatriate, with her spouse.
In response to Pomeroy’s untimely passing, tributes have flooded in from the culinary community and notable figures in Oregon, such as U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, recognizing her as not just a talented chef and businesswoman but also a remarkable individual who shaped Portland’s culinary landscape.
Pomeroy had recently ventured into a new business with a frozen custard shop following the closure of Beast during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her sudden demise has left a void in the hearts of many who admired her culinary prowess and contributions to the industry.
