Renowned Chef Floyd Cardoz Dies After CCP Virus Diagnosis

World-renowned chef Floyd Cardoz died Wednesday in New Jersey at age 59. Cardoz had tested positive for the CCP virus.

Chef Floyd Cardoz attends The New York Culinary Experience—Day 2 at The International Culinary Center in New York City on April 29, 2012. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The New York Culinary Experience

World-renowned chef Floyd Cardoz died Wednesday in New Jersey at age 59. Cardoz had tested positive for the CCP virus.

“It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing away of Chef Floyd Cardoz,” according to a statement from Hunger Inc. Hospitality, where Cardoz was the culinary director.

Cardoz tested positive for CCP virus on March 18 and was being treated for it at Mountainside Medical Center in New Jersey, the statement said.

The Epoch Times refers to the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, as the CCP virus because the Chinese Communist Party’s coverup and mismanagement allowed the virus to spread throughout China and create a global pandemic.

Raised in Mumbai, India, Cardoz went to Les Roches culinary school in Switzerland before coming to New York City.

He was the executive chef at Tabla, the Indian restaurant he opened with Danny Meyer in 1998. He later helmed Meyer’s North End Grill, while he competed and won on Bravo’s third season of “Top Chef Masters.”

He later opened Pao Walla in New York City’s Soho neighborhood, and followed that up with Bombay Bread Bar, which closed last year.

Chef Floyd Cardoz attends The New York Culinary Experience—Day 2 at The International Culinary Center in New York City on April 29, 2012. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The New York Culinary Experience

Cardoz also had restaurants in Mumbai—Bombay Canteen, O Pedro and Bombay Sweet Shop.

The chef was the author of two cookbooks: “One Spice, Two Spice: American Food, Indian Flavors” (2006) and “Floyd Cardoz: Flavorwalla: Big Flavor. Bold Spices. A New Way to Cook the Foods You Love” (2016).

Cardoz admitted himself to the hospital on March 17 after feeling feverish.

He had recently returned from India, where he was filming the Netflix series, “Ugly Delicious” with actor Aziz Ansari. He posted a selfie on Instagram that day.

Chef Floyd Cardoz at "The Hundred-Foot Journey" premiere in New York on Aug. 4, 2014. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Another Instagram post from Bombay Canteen from that day read, “Chef Floyd Cardoz (59 years), Culinary Director, Hunger, Inc was admitted into hospital in New York with a viral fever. Chef Floyd who was earlier in Mumbai left the city on March 8 for New York via Frankfurt airport. He is being closely monitored for his condition and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Food magnate David Chang posted about Cardoz’s death on Instagram: “Heartbroken over the loss of Floyd Cardoz to COVID-19. Rest in peace Floyd...we will carry on your beautiful legacy.”

Cardoz is survived by his mother Beryl, wife Barkha and sons Justin and Peter.

The CNN Wire and Epoch Times staff contributed to this report