Legendary Portland chef Naomi Pomeroy has passed away after
drowning in the Willamette River late Saturday.
According to the Benton County Sheriff's Office, 3 inner
tubes were floating on the Willamette River in Corvallis and they hit a snag
when Pomeroy went under.
Pomeroy was best known for her fine dining restaurant Feast.
In 2014, she won a James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Northwest and recently
opened a custard shop in Southeast Division.
During the pandemic, she worked closely with Congressman Earl
Blumenauer to get federal dollars to save restaurants.
Moments ago, Blumenauer released a statement saying, "What a loss. Naomi was not just a fabulous chef and an 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."