Carl Ruiz was a famous celebrity chef and owner of La Cubana restaurant in New York. He died shockingly at a young age of 44. He suffered an unexpected heart attack in his sleep and passed away. Let’s find out more about the incredible life and shocking death of this master chef.

Carl Ruiz: All You Need to Know

Who was Carl Ruiz?

Carl Ruiz was a famous chef who made his name in the New York food scene. He is famous for opening the Cuban cuisine joint, in New York. He opened the restaurant in order to pay tribute to his Cuban heritage.

How did Carl Ruiz die?

After his death, his close friend Matt Farah informed his fans through his Instagram page. He said: “passed peacefully in his sleep from a possible heart attack at just 44 years old. I am absolutely gutted.” After the shock announcement, tributes and eulogies poured in from everywhere.

Where did Carl Ruiz study?

Chef Carl Ruiz previously owned Marie’s Italian Specialties in New Jersey with his ex-wife, Marie Riccio. He worked for more than 25 years in the food and restaurant industry and graduated from the Institute for Culinary Education in New York City.

Throughout his more than 25 years in the restaurant and food industry, Carl Ruiz opened restaurants around the world, built a successful career in television and radio, and spearheaded world-famous culinary events, and with his well-earned ideas, he became the ‘secret weapon’ to success for many other star chefs along the way.

How did Carl Ruiz start his career as a Restaurateur?

Carl Ruiz worked in numerous restaurants across the globe and sharpened his craft over time. Along with his then wife, he also opened Marie’s Italian Specialties in Chatham, New Jersey, in 2011. His wife took over as the owner of the restaurant after the couple divorced. Carl Ruiz also served as the executive chef at Sabor in Bergen County, NJ, and at Cuban Pete’s in Montclair, NJ.

What is the name of his Cuban food restaurant in New York City?

Carl Ruiz decided to pay tribute to his Cuban roots and opened a restaurant called La Cubana in the bustling heart of New York City. The restaurant served Cuban cuisine, vintage cocktails and featured live Latin music for a Havana like experience. The restaurant also served a Cuban brunch every weekend.

Why did Carl Ruiz anger the people of Florida?

When Carl Ruiz said that a New Jersey restaurant had the “best Cuban sandwich in the world”, it angered a lot of people, especially in Florida. Florida is known for its bustling Cuban immigrant community and they weren’t ready to accept that a restaurant far north in New Jersey could serve the best Cuban sandwich in the world. Speaking about the sandwich from La Pola, he said: “I didn’t believe the best Cuban sandwich could be from New Jersey. But it is. I got a tweet from the mayor of Tampa saying absolutely “No way”. Then the mayor of St. Petersburg, and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh. What did I do?’ “

He added: “It is a nonconformist test… There is no one with a mustache on the handlebars, without knife and fork tattoos, without anything. This is the same way they started to do it in 1960 until now. It is perfect”.

What was the name of Carl Ruiz’s YouTube show?

Carl Ruiz is also famous for his YouTube show “Omg Carl’s Food Show”. The show consisted of Carl Ruiz reviewing numerous fast food restaurants across America. The show was quite popular and Ruiz became very famous because of it.

Carl also made a name for himself on Sirius XM Radio by interviewing some of today’s most talented and insightful chefs, and dropping his own culinary knowledge.

Along with his appearance on “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” with his ex-wife, Ruiz was also in Fieri’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” as a contestant and celebrity judge and “Guy’s Ranch Kitchen.” He also appeared on “Dinner: Impossible.”

What did other celebrities say about the demise of Carl Ruiz?

Food critic Troy Johnson tweeted: “A good friend of mine has left. It made people laugh who had forgotten how to laugh. He set fire to the rooms. It was phosphorus and kerosene. The smartest, most lovable jerk I knew. This one gutted me. Good evening, @carlruiz “.

Sirius XM producer Travis Tefft wrote on Twitter: “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who has lived life to the fullest other than @carlruiz. He was hilarious and exceptionally kind to everyone. This news really sucks. “

Matt Farah tweeted: “Chef @carlruiz was an absolute legend, in every way that word can be applied. His food, spirit, knowledge, ideas, street smarts, humor, and delivery were legendary. The world is darker without him.

Gregg Hughes, better known as radio personality Opie, who often had Ruiz on his show, wrote a tribute on Instagram , saying, “Yeah, we had great chemistry and did great shows. That was a distant second of our friendship that I appreciated. When others realized that it was no longer cool dating Opie Carl “said that. He was the one who lifted me off the floor and helped me regain my confidence. He taught me to laugh again. He’s the reason I chose to start doing shows again. “

Opie added: “I’ve never laughed louder with anyone in my life. Carl is right up there with the funniest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to hang out with. Brilliant, fast with a great take on the world. Oh that laugh. Once he got going, it was over for everyone around him. Many say it was one of a kind. I’m not sure people know how true this really was. He had an energy that people really wanted to be around with. He made people happy and made sure they were having the best time possible. He was not one of those people who would say if you need him to call me. He was a man who felt that a friend was in trouble and just showed up.”

“I am heartbroken that my friend Chef Carl Ruiz left. I have no words to describe what a great friend he was to me and my family. His ability to make me laugh and smile under any circumstances was only overshadowed by his talent. a chef, “Guy Fieri wrote on Twitter . “Over the years, I have met many great people, but a friend like Carl is one in a hundred million. Carl ‘The Cuban’ Ruiz will live forever in my heart and in those of all who loved him ”.

Ruiz’s old New Jersey restaurant was featured by Fieri on his Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” in 2013.