Top Chef Star Leah Cohen Loses Husband Ben Byruch at 44

Top Chef star Leah Cohen is experiencing a profound loss following the unexpected death of her husband, Ben Byruch, at the age of 44. Byruch passed away on Tuesday, November 10. As the co-founder and creative heart of Pig & Khao, the New York City restaurant he established with Cohen in 2012, his vision significantly shaped its identity.

The devastating news was shared by Pig & Khao via an Instagram post, highlighting Byruch's warmth, passion, and sense of humor. The post emphasized his role as a devoted father to their two young sons and a cherished friend to many. Colleagues and fellow chefs, including Alyse Whitney and Aarti Sequeira, have flooded the comments with heartfelt messages of sympathy and support for Cohen and her family.

Cohen and Byruch, who married in July 2016, recently appeared together on Bobby Flay's The Line two months prior to his passing. During their appearance, they competed as a team, securing a victory and $25,000. Byruch's television debut marked a significant moment, while Cohen is a recognized figure in the culinary competition circuit. As of Friday morning, a GoFundMe campaign established to aid Cohen and her sons, as well as to cover funeral costs, had raised over $38,000 toward its $50,000 goal.