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Chef Floyd Cardoz — owner of Tabla, Bombay Bread Bar — has died of novel coronavirus

Floyd Cardoz, 59, died of complications due to novel coronavirus after being admitted to the hospital in New York City

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

March 25, 2020

2 Min Read
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Floyd Cardoz's death leaves a hole in the culinary community.Kris Connor / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment

Joanna Fantozzi

Floyd Cardoz — the Mumbai-born chef known for his modern Indian cuisine and groundbreaking restaurants Tabla and Bombay Bread Bar — has reportedly died from complications due to novel coronavirus, according to Indian publication Scroll.in.

Cardoz, 59, is the first high-profile chef to die from the virus that has become a global pandemic. He was admitted to the hospital in New York City on March 18 after feeling feverish, following a trip to Mumbai earlier in March, according to a statement Cardoz posted on Instagramon March 18.

The prolific chef’s hospitality group, The Hunger, Inc. released a statement on March 17 confirming his hospitalization after he came down with coronavirus symptoms including as viral fever.

Cardoz started his career working at Union Square Hospitality Group with Danny Meyer, making a name for himself after opening New York City fine-dining, three Michelin-starred Indian restaurant Tabla, and later El Verano Taquería and North End Grill. Tabla later closed in 2010. More recently, Cardoz had opened Bombay Bread Bar: a transformation of his former New York City fine dining restaurant, Paowalla, into a vibrant Indian soul food bar that became well-known for its house-baked bread. Bombay Bread Bar closed in the summer of 2019 after just 18 months in business.

Related:Chefs Edward Lee, Alon Shaya and others start restaurant workers relief program for employees impacted by coronavirus

Cardoz also operated three restaurants in Mumbai: the Bombay Canteen and O Pedro, as well as his recently opened Indian dessert shop, Bombay Sweet Shop.

As news broke of Cardoz’s death early on Wednesday morning, fellow chefs, personal friends, and fans of the chef’s culinary achievements began posting eulogies and memories on Twitter, including Danny Meyer, who was Cardoz’s first major employer in the restaurant industry:

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Nation’s Restaurant News has reached out to Floyd Cardoz’s team for a statement.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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