Portland mourns the loss of one of its culinary stars, Naomi Pomeroy, who tragically drowned in the Willamette River on Saturday night. The incident involving the 49-year-old chef, who played a pivotal role in shaping the city's food scene, occurred while she was inner tubing near Corvallis with her husband, as reported by OPB News. According to the Benton County Sheriff's Office, Pomeroy's inner tube encountered a snag in the river; she went underwater and did not resurface, and despite the efforts of rescue crews with sonar and pole cameras, they were hindered by strong currents, details provided by KEZI echoed these events.
Described as the "Julia Child" and "godmother figure of our food scene" by The Oregonian's restaurant critic, Michael Russell, in a statement obtained by KING 5 News, Pomeroy was known for her popular restaurant Beast, which closed in 2020; she had opened Cornet Custard on Southeast Division in Portland and was exploring the opening of a new bistro at the former site of Woodsman Tavern. Her impact extended beyond Portland, working with Congressman Earl Blumenauer to secure federal funding to support restaurants during the pandemic, which garnered praise from Blumenauer who in a heartfelt statement referred to her as a "fabulous chef and entrepreneur, but an amazing human being."
Pomeroy's influence on the Portland culinary scene was immense, as highlighted by local foodie Gary Okazaki in a conversation with KOIN 6 News, who stated, "She was a rock star chef," he acknowledged that she was an integral figure, destined to have a significant chapter in the history of Portland's food legacy. Her creation of Beast offered a window into her talents with its open kitchen and communal dining experience, earning it taglines as potentially the best restaurant in the area at the height of its popularity.
The industry not only grieves a culinary genius but also a proactive supporter of her peers; Pomeroy was a founding member of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, calling on Congress to pass significant funding to assist restaurants and laid-off workers during the challenging times of the pandemic; this commitment to her community further established her legacy, exemplified by Expatriate, the bar she and her husband operated, which closed temporarily following this tragedy, Portland Monthly confirmed with family members that Pomeroy's commitment to her craft was unwavering, as she had just returned from New York doing research for her then-upcoming bistro.
