How did Fuller Goldsmith die? 'Chopped Junior' champ dead days before 18th birthday
Fan-favorite teen celebrity chef Fuller Goldsmith, best recognized as the champion of 'Chopped Junior' in 2017, has died at the age of 17 years. Goldsmith tragically died just days before his 18th birthday. While mourning his untimely death, WIAT reporter Tim Reid informed, "He worked 7 years as a chef at Southern Ale House restaurant in Tuscaloosa. Executive Chef Brett Garner says he was one of his best chefs. Fuller would have turned 18 Saturday."
The young prodigy has been battling leukemia from the mere age of 3 years. He has defeated cancer four times in the past, but the fatal disease relapsed once again in February 2021. At the time of his last diagnosis, Fuller Goldsmith informed his fans that doctors discovered a tumor in his brain that required surgery and 12 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. "Unfortunately the news regarding the tumor was not what I was hoping. The same Leukemia is back. Round 5 - I’m ready to fight!" he declared on Instagram in February this year. He eventually succumbed to his lifelong battle with cancer.
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PRAY FOR HIS FAMILY; 🙏17-year-old Fuller Goldsmith lost his battle with cancer Tuesday. He worked 7 years as a chef at Southern Ale House restaurant in Tuscaloosa. Executive Chef Brett Garner says he was one of his best chefs. Fuller would have turned 18 Saturday. pic.twitter.com/8f1KvpqRKf
— Tim Reid (@reidreporterguy) October 6, 2021
Cal Holt, the father of Southern Ale House's owner Justin Holt, grieved the tragic death of their beloved teen chef. In a Facebook post, Holt wrote, "Our collective hearts are broken. The SAH family lost our much loved and respected Fuller Goldsmith today. He spent a lot of time in the [Southern Ale House] kitchen helping prep, serve, and create recipes. We will miss his presence, his smile, his laugh, his banter back and forth with Brett, and his grit as fought the aches and pains of a terrible disease. He will be missed but forever remembered."
Fuller Goldsmith's mother Melissa once mentioned that he took up an interest in cooking at 3 years of age, around the same time when he was first diagnosed with leukemia. Growing up, he aspired to attend the Culinary Institute of America someday, a dream that remained unfulfilled.
In 2013, Goldsmith participated in the cooking competition 'Chopped Junior'. On the application form, he had actually pretended to be his mother. Eventually, he went on to stun the judges with his extraordinary culinary skills and acumen and donned the crown of the champion. Aside from the coveted trophy, Goldsmith was also rewarded with a $10,000 prize, which he donated to the Division of Hematology and Pediatric Oncology at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
"We didn't realize how talented he was until he went and won Chopped Junior. I guess when he cooks all day at home we take it for granted," his mother once revealed.