Michael Chiarello, Food Network Star, Died After an Allergic Reaction: Coroner

An allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock has been named as the official cause of death for Food Network icon Michael Chiarello.

A source from the Napa County Coroner’s Office reportedly told TMZ on Wednesday that the celeb chef’s anaphylactic shock then led to a heart attack.

The insider said Chiarello was taken to the hospital last month where he was brought back to life, only to later die from hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, a brain dysfunction caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow.

It is unclear whether or not his fatal allergic reaction was food-related.

Chiarello also had cocaine in his system at the time of his death but did not die from a drug overdose, the coroner’s office allegedly said.

Instead, his recent cocaine use was listed as another “significant condition” in his death.

Chiarello died in the hospital on Oct. 7 surrounded by his family. He was 61.

He hosted shows on both the Food Network and PBS, and appeared on programs including “Top Chef,” “Top Chef Masters” and “The Next Iron Chef.”

Read the full story here.

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