Chef Joey Fecci tragically passed away just miles from finishing a Nashville half marathon on Saturday, April 27. He was only 26 years old.
Fecci died despite receiving immediate medical attention during the St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon, according to a report from Nashville’s WSMV.
Fecci was discovered unconscious during the Shelby Park segment of the race. A medical team at the scene provided emergency care immediately. He was later taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Nashville Police Confirm Chef Joey Fecci Died of Natural Causes After Marathon
On Monday, his family issued a statement confirming his death. “It is with unbearable pain and immense sorrow that we share that our dear and beloved Joey transitioned to the other side on Saturday, April 27,” Fecci’s family said, according to WSMV.
“He was a shining light of inspiration and positivity to all who were lucky enough to cross paths with him,” his family added. “[Joey] He was a treasured son, brother, boyfriend and friend to many. He leaves behind a broken family that loves him dearly.”
Nashville police have confirmed that Fecci’s death was due to natural causes and is not the subject of an investigation.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to provide a scholarship in Fecci’s name
Fecci’s journey into the culinary world took its first steps in Somers, New York, his hometown. From the age of 15, he embarked on his career taking on roles as busboy, pizza maker and garden manager at restaurant Lucia.
He studied culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and then interned at Charlie Palmer’s Michelin-starred Aureole in Las Vegas. She also worked at the Michelin-starred Spiaggia in Chicago, collaborating with Tony Mantuano. Further honing his skills, he became party boss at Per Se in New York City.
In 2020, he collaborated with Mantuano again, taking a position at Yolan, located at The Joseph Hotel, Nashville. His culinary skills quickly earned him a promotion from head chef to chef de cuisine for 2022. In February, Fecci declared his decision to leave Yolan.
At Yolan, he led the research and development of events and menus, working with notable chefs such as The best chef winner Joe Flamm.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created in Fecci’s memory to provide a scholarship to a promising culinary student. To date, they have raised more than $66,000 of a goal of $75,000.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn