Detroit chef Maxcel Hardy died unexpectedly Monday at the age of 40, a representative confirmed.
The cause of his death remains unknown and the family has asked “Detroit for prayers and privacy at this time,” according to family spokesman David Rudolph.
Rodolfo, according to the detroit newsAt the time of his death, he was looking forward to the long-awaited opening of his seafood restaurant What’s Crackin’.
Hardy owned and operated several restaurants in the city, including the closed Caribbean-Soul River Bistro restaurant, as well as Coop Detroit and Jed’s Detroit.
He is survived by two daughters.
Chef Maxcel Hardy, a beloved figure on the Detroit culinary scene, died Monday at age 40.
His death was confirmed by a family representative, although no cause of death was given.
The chef, who specialized in blending Caribbean and Jamaican flavors, was a native of Detroit and had spent time honing his craft in New York and Miami for several high-profile clients.
His entrepreneurial streak led him to publish a cookbook and an exclusive line of dried spices.
Throughout his career, which began after studying at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, Hardy strived to contribute to his community.
A decade ago he founded the nonprofit One Chef Can 86 Hunger.
He described his charitable work as “natural” and his childhood, during which his family sometimes suffered from a lack of resources.
“I just want to make sure that if someone is hungry, we feed them,” he told The Detroit News in 2021. “But I also want to teach kids how to do the same thing and understand how food grows, where it comes from.” how to spend money and how to save and do it with your family.’
He worked toward that goal with a handful of food-focused charities in addition to his own.
Hardy stands in front of his River Bistro restaurant in Detroit, a Caribbean soul food restaurant that closed during COVID.
Hardy (left) a decade ago in New York City hosted an event hosted by then-New York Knicks player Amar’e Stoudemire (center).
Hardy’s Pizza and Burger, takeout location, Jed’s Detroit
For his work, both charitable and culinary, Hardy earned several major accolades over the years.
The Detroit News I present you the Angelo B. Henderson Community Engagement Award, in addition to naming him one of the Michiganians of the Year.
He was then recognized by the New York Times as one of ‘16 black chefs are changing food in America.’
He told the Times that he was proud to help turn Detroit into a city where food could become a major focus.
‘Growing up in Detroit, you didn’t see chefs or restaurants elevated in that way. It was Motor City, not Food City,” he said.
In 2022, he said Detroit Dining Room: “My goal is always to open restaurants downtown to help employ the community while offering great food.”
‘I think that, although it may be easier to open in a larger suburban area, it is typical and would only work for me. Food is at the center of everything and I want to create restaurants that help sustain communities in need. I’m also trying to show that you can open successful restaurants in your hometown.’