Portland, Ore. — Naomi Pomeroy, an award-winning chef who played a key role in establishing Portland as a culinary hotspot, has died in an inner tubing accident, according to authorities. She was 49 years old.
Pomeroy drowned on Saturday evening in the Willamette River near Corvallis after the group she was tubing with got caught on a submerged branch, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office stated. Pomeroy was pulled underwater and trapped by a paddle board leash attached to her, Captain Chris Duffitt explained. The group had linked their inner tubes and paddle board together.
Authorities mentioned they safely brought the other two individuals to the shore and transported them to a boat launch.
The sheriff’s office reported that they are still working to recover Pomeroy’s body. They searched the area using sonar, underwater cameras and drones but were unable to locate it due to heavy debris.
“I am dedicated to locating Naomi to bring her home to her family and loved ones”, Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall said in a statement. “I want to thank all involved in the search and recovery mission and support during this difficult time.”
The sheriff’s office cautioned people against attaching themselves to a paddle board unless it has a quick release leash, and advised against tying two or more inner tubes together, as doing so means each person should have a life jacket.
The Oregon State Marine Board noted that there has been a “growing trend” in recent years of individuals losing their lives due to the leash on their stand up paddle board, or SUP, becoming entangled in brush or other debris in rivers.
“Most ankle leashes used by SUP users are not designed for quick release,” Brian Paulsen, the agency’s boating safety program manager, said in a statement Tuesday. He mentioned that quick release leashes, designed for moving water, are worn around the waist.
Pomeroy gained prominence in the Portland food scene after opening the restaurant Beast in 2007. a six-course prix fixe dinner served at communal tables and built around Pomeroy’s passion for butchering whole animals.
The restaurant helped Pomeroy win a coveted James Beard award for best chef in the Northwest in 2014, around the same time Portland was rapidly gaining popularity as a travel destination for its food scene, natural beauty and unique character. The restaurant closed during the coronavirus pandemic, but Pomeroy had recently opened a new frozen custard shop.
Pomeroy was also known for her appearances on cooking shows, including Top Chef Masters, and owned the Portland cocktail bar Expatriate with her husband. The bar was closed Monday, as mourners left flowers and remembrances stacked outside the business.
Heather Wallberg, who owns a restaurant across from Expatriate and has worked in the industry for over a decade, told KOIN that Pomeroy “made the Portland food scene what it is today.” She said she reached out to Expatriate to offer any help they need.
Pomeroy’s sudden passing “reminds you of the fragility of life,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer from Oregon issued a statement describing Pomeroy’s death as a tragic loss.
“Naomi was not just a fabulous chef and entrepreneur, but an amazing human being,” Blumenauer said. “Her impact went far beyond Portland, helping establish our leadership and reputation for food excellence. She will be greatly missed.”