Carl Ruiz.Photo: La Cubana NYC/Instagram
Carl Ruiz’s loved ones gathered to pay their respects to the late chef at his funeral over the weekend.
Ruiz, who appeared on numerous Food Network shows includingDiners, Drive-Ins, and DivesandGuy’s Ranch Kitchen, died at age 44 on Sept. 21. The cause of death has not been announced, though the restaurant owner’s close friend Matt Farah previously wrote on Instagram that he had “passed peacefully in his sleep.”
A post from La Cubana, the restaurant Ruiz opened just months before his death, announced the service on Saturday.
“Celebrating the lifeof this beautiful human today!” the post read. “Don’t cry… laugh…Don’t sulk… Dance!”
To honor his friend’s legacy,Guy Fieriwore a shirt to the funeral emblazoned with the word “ruizing,” a term the late chef coined to spread his carefree outlook on life and passion for good food.
On his way to the funeral, Anthony Rodriguez, a director of photography forDiners, Drive-Ins and Dives, shared that while he was sad his friend was gone, he knew Ruiz wouldwant him to be happy.
“I’m sitting here in the airport and Carl I just can not believe you’re gone. I can’t believe I’m flying to your funeral. It just doesn’t make sense. I’m sure wherever you are you’d be saying: “Yo, YOOOOO, Cuz, what the f— are you sad for man, you have everything & you’re alive bro, BRO, have a hot dog & relax,” he wrote. “But I’m sad & miss you. Here’s hoping wherever you are, you’re #Ruizing. Love you forever Hermano.”
Counting her blessings, Chef Aarti Sequeira went on to thank Ruiz for “giving us this gift of a weekend even after you left us.”
Sequeira also extended her gratitude to Ruiz’s family “for letting us come grieve with you.”
A representative for La Cubana previously told PEOPLE they plan to establish The Carl Ruiz Scholarship Foundation, which will help aspiring chefs.
“We love you!” the restaurant staff wrote in a statement. “You are already missed. Rest easy.”
source: people.com
