Twitter and Instagram React to Losing Chef Floyd Cardoz to COVID-19

Floyd Cardoz, the chef behind former critically-acclaimed restaurants in New York City, Tabla, Paowalla, and Bombay Bread Bar, has passed away after contracting COVID-19.

According to independent news site, Scroll.in, Cardoz, 59, passed away today in a hospital in New Jersey. The renowned chef, known for masterfully infusing Indian flavors into American cuisine, first posted on Instagram on March 18 about falling ill. He notified his followers that he had checked into a hospital in NYC after he developed a fever upon returning from a trip to India.

The post was then removed and replaced with this one:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Sincere apologies everyone. I am sorry for causing undue panic around my earlier post. I was feeling feverish and hence as a precautionary measure, admitted myself into hospital in New York. I was hugely anxious about my state of health and my post was highly irresponsible causing panic in several quarters. I returned to New York on March 8th via Frankfurt

A post shared by Floyd Cardoz (@floydcardoz) on Mar 17, 2020 at 1:34pm PDT

This was his last post before unfortunately passing away today at a different hospital in New Jersey.

Cardoz's recent ventures consisted of two restaurants, The Bombay Canteen and O Pedro, in Mumbai, India, which are beloved additions to the ever-expanding Indian fine dining scene.

Other accolades for the well-respected chef include being crowned the winner of Bravo TV's Top Chef Master in season three. The chef also had the pleasure of cooking a spicy Goa-inspired meal for former president Barack Obama in 2014. Most recently, Cardoz was featured in season 2 of the popular Netflix series, Ugly Delicious in the episode, "Don't Call it Curry."

The culinary world is devastated by the loss of Floyd Cardoz. Here's what some chefs, restauranteurs, and food writers are saying about his passing.

I feel so terrible for his family and his two sons. All the cooks and managers that worked under him. Easily one of the most beloved people in the business. He was criminally under appreciated, introduced so many new flavors and techniques to America. Tabla forever ❤️ #riceflakes

— Dave Chang (@davidchang) March 25, 2020

Floyd Cardoz was an exceptional talent, a chef equally at home with undiluted Indian flavors as he was with the delicious union of French, Indian and American food, a personal idiom that he invented. https://t.co/7NcTes1D01

— Pete Wells (@pete_wells) March 25, 2020

Floyd did so much to advance the cause of Indian food and Indian people in America. He was generous, funny, and warm, and I've always wished I could turn back time and eat at Tabla. Sending love to his family. https://t.co/nLMm9ALwmW

— Priya Krishna (@PKgourmet) March 25, 2020

 

View this post on Instagram

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I never imagined posting such a happy photo under these circumstances. RIP Chef Floyd Cardoz. You've made a mark in so many ways on so very many people. Sincere condolences to all his loved ones, including the @thebombaycanteen @opedromumbai @bombaysweetshop teams. Here he is, having just won #1 spot on @cntravellerindia India's Top Restaurant Awards 2018, but I vividly remember eating his food at Tabla in NYC way back in 2002. It felt like great Indian food had finally found a cool new home—and all these years later, everything he touched still felt that way. #toprestaurantawards #floydcardoz

A post shared by Divia Thani (@diviathani) on Mar 25, 2020 at 6:10am PDT

It goes without mention that his legacy will live on, especially for those who have had the pleasure of meeting him or dining at one of his restaurants.