How did Howard 'Howie' Kleinberg die? 'Top Chef' alum, 46, passed away unexpectedly
'Top Chef' alum Howard 'Howie' Kleinberg died following a heart attack earlier this week on July 22, 2022. The 46-year-old chef's mother, Susan, confirmed the news of his passing.
While speaking to Miami Herald, Susan explained that her son passed away over the weekend. She said, "I am just finding out how many lives he touched.” “He was married to his passion in life, which was his cooking," she added. Howie, who appeared on season 3 of Bravo's culinary competition show, was well-known in the Miami food circle. Bravo issued a statement about his passing, "The Top Chef family is saddened to learn about the unexpected passing of Howard Kleinberg from season three. Howie’s passion for cooking filled so many and our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends.”
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The South Florida native chef attended culinary school at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, according to the Miami Herald. He kicked off his illustrious chef career by working in the kitchen at the Hotel Intercontinental in downtown Miami. Howie was best known for appearing on 'Top Chef' Season 3, where he finished seventh. After his brief stint on the television, he went on to open his own restaurant, Bulldog Barbecue, in Miami.
According to his obituary, Howie's passion for barbecues was sparked by the many summers he spent in North Carolina. He also dabbled in several fine dining options. According to the Daily Mail, Howie took on the position of executive chef at the Coconut Grove, Florida restaurant the Peacock Garden Resto Bar + Grill, earlier this year. He participated annually in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which he considered a great source of pride for him. Howie is survived by his mother, Susan Kleinberg Ratner, and stepfather, Ken Ratner. His sister, Amy (William) Wildstein, and their three children Whitney, Lindsey, and Phillip, and his beloved dog Skye.
Aside from his top-notch barbecue spreads, Howie was also known for his generosity. He supported several causes close to his heart, including feeding hungry children and raising money for animal shelters. Howie's family requested that all donations in his memory be made to Bullies-N-Beyond Rescue or to Feeding South Florida.