Oregon authorities recover body of award-winning chef who drowned in river accident

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Authorities in Oregon said Wednesday they have recovered the body of award-winning chef Naomi Pomeroy after she drowned in a river accident.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said her body was found Wednesday morning in the Willamette River between Corvallis and Albany after canoeists spotted it and called 911.

Authorities said they notified her family and turned her body over to a funeral home.

Pomeroy died Saturday night after the group she was innertubing with became entangled in an exposed obstruction in the water, the sheriff’s office said. Pomeroy was pulled underwater and secured with a paddleboard line attached to her, Capt. Chris Duffitt said. She was 49 years old.

According to authorities, the other two people in the group were safely brought to a boat ramp.

Pomeroy rose to prominence in Portland’s culinary scene after opening Beast in 2007. The restaurant paved the way for her to win the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northwest in 2014.

The restaurant closed during the coronavirus pandemic, but Pomeroy recently opened a new frozen custard shop. She was also known for her appearances on cooking shows including Top Chef Masters and co-owned the Portland cocktail bar Expatriate with her husband.

Since Pomeroy’s death, tributes have poured in from Oregon chefs and notable figures, including U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, whose district includes much of Portland.

“Naomi was not only a fantastic chef and entrepreneur, but also a wonderful person,” Blumenauer said in a statement. “Her impact extended far beyond Portland, helping to establish our leadership and reputation for food excellence. She will be deeply missed.”