Award-winning Portland chef Naomi Pomeroy drowns in Willamette River

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Naomi Pomeroy, a noted Portland chef and a James Beard Award winner, died in a tragic accident on the Willamette River Saturday night, her friends told KOIN 6 News.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office confirmed the death of a 50-year-old woman, and said they "are working on recovering the body." The author and contestant on "Top Chef Masters" was floating on the Willamette River in Benton County when she drowned.

Close friends and those who worked beside her all told KOIN 6 News the Portland food scene is what it is today because of Naomi Pomeroy.

"She was a rock star chef," said Portland foodie Gary Okazaki. "When they write the history of the Portland culinary scene, she's going to have her own chapter."

Okazaki, a longtime patron and one of her countless fans, fondly remembers dining at her communal restaurant, Beast, where you could watch her do her magic in the open kitchen.

"It was it was her personality, the cult of personality of Naomi. Just the magnetism. When she was around, you could feel it," he said. "Diners flocked to Beast, and at one point it was considered maybe the best restaurant in Portland."

KOIN 6 News spoke with Pomeroy during the pandemic after she closed Beast. She talked about fighting to keep the food industry alive both in Portland and across the country.

Pomeroy is one of the founders of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, a group calling on Congress to pass a $120 billion fund to help restaurants and their laid-off workers.

Now, Okazaki said, her lasting legacy is Expatriate, a bar she and her husband own. The bar temporarily closed Monday as they grieve her death.

He also said Pomeroy was in the process of opening another restaurant which is slated to be at the site of the former Woodman's Tavern on Southeast Division. Another friend told KOIN 6 News she had just gone to New York to do research for this new bistro and was ready to start.

Whenever I saw her, she was incredibly generous and kind and hospitable. And she always had a big smile on her face when she saw me," Okazaki said. "And I feel for Kyle Webster, her husband, and especially her daughter August. I can't imagine what they're going through right now."

Friends, fans and statements

Heather Wallberg, who owns Gabbiano's -- across from Expatriate -- said Naomi Pomeroy "made the Portland food scene what it is today."

Wallberg, who's been in the business for more than a decade, said it's a tight-knit corner of restaurant owners. She said she reached out to Expatriate to offer whatever help they need.

"Events like this reminds you of the fragility of life," she said.

David Sigal, whose Take Two is on the same block as Expatriate, said her death is very sad.

"She was a pillar to the industry and to the community," Sigal said. "She was such a big part of the Portland food scene that we have today."

Longtime friend Bryon Beck summed up the feelings of many.

"We love her and will miss her so much."

In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Rep. Earl Blumenauer said: “What a loss. Naomi was not just a fabulous chef and entrepreneur, but an amazing human being. Her impact went far beyond Portland, helping establish our leadership and reputation for food excellence. She will be greatly missed.”

"I have no words for the immediate emotion on this to be honest. In remembering her at this moment, though, all I can say is that the Portland Restaurant Community lost a GIANT today…an all time Portland Advocate and Artisan. Over a span of two decades, no culinary talent has made a mark on this city in the way that she did…from her early years doing Family Suppers and Ripe to Top Chef to Beast to Expatriate with her husband Kyle. This is an unimaginable moment and loss, and my heart especially hurts for her family right now," added Ryan Magarian of Oven & Shaker.