Chef Floyd Cardoz, best known for winning the cooking competition show “Top Chef Masters,” died on Wednesday, Mar. 20, after testing positive for the coronavirus days before.

The news of Cardoz’s death was made known through a statement from Hunger Inc. Hospitality, saying that the organization was feeling “deep sorrow” at the chef’s passing. Cardoz was the culinary director of Hunger Inc. Hospitality before he passed away.

CNN reports that Cardoz was receiving treatment for COVID-19 at the Mountainside Medical Center in New Jersey before he died. It was on Mar. 18 that Cardoz tested positive for the coronavirus.

Cardoz had been filming in India for the Netflix show “Ugly Delicious” before he tested positive for the disease. After returning from India, Cardoz had started feeling feverish on the 17th. He admitted himself to the hospital on the same day.

Other luminaries in the food industry have expressed their sorrow at the passing of Cardoz. David Chang, the host for “Ugly Delicious,” said he was “heartbroken” and promised to continue the “beautiful legacy” left behind by Cardoz.

Award-winning actress and food and travel writer Madhur Jaffrey called Cardoz “an innovator” and said she was heartbroken that Cardoz died in “the midst of a brilliant career.”

Aside from winning “Top Chef Masters,” Cardoz also wrote two cookbooks: “One Spice, Two Spice: American Food, Indian Flavors” in 2006 and “Floyd Cardoz: Flavorwalla: Big Flavor. Bold Spices. A New Way to Cook the Foods You Love” in 2016.

Cardoz leaves behind his wife Barkha, his sons Peter and Justin, and his mother, Beryl. 

Cardoz is also leaving behind several restaurants. Bombay Sweet Shop, O Pedro, and Bombay Canteen are all located in Mumbai. Pao Walla is located in the Soho neighborhood in New York.

Cardoz spent his childhood in Mumbai, India, before training at Switzerland’s Les Roches culinary school. Surprisingly, Cardoz had not intended to become a chef. In an interview with CBS back in 2017, he revealed that he wanted to be a biochemist. He only decided to change his dream after reading Arthur Hailey’s book “Hotel” and finding it “fun.”

Aside from Cardoz, another celebrity that has passed away after testing positive for the coronavirus is award-winning playwright Terrence McNally. 

There are also several celebrities who have tested positive for the coronavirus. Among them are celebrity couple Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Kristofer Hivju, Idris Elba, Olga Kurylenko, Daniel Dae Kim, Aaron Tveit, Placido Domingo, and Andy Cohen.