'Top Chef' Alum Howie Kleinberg Dies at 46

The Florida-based chef, who appeared on the third season of the cooking reality series back in 2007, died of a heart attack.

The lights in the Top Chef kitchen have dimmed today. It's been reported that Howie Kleinberg, who participated in season 3 of the Emmy-winning reality series, died over the weekend at the age of 46.

The news was first reported by the Miami Herald. The publication said that Kleinberg passed away due to a heart attack. His mother Susan is quoted as saying, "I am just finding out how many lives he touched. He was married to his passion in life, which was his cooking."

Indeed, Howie's life has seemed to always revolve around cooking, to the point where he was born at North Miami General Hospital, which would later become the site of the culinary school he would attend at Johnson & Wales University. He eventually found work at the Hotel Intercontinental in downtown Miami, when South Beach food festival culinary director Terry Zakarian recommended him for Top Chef.

Related: Everything to Know About Top Chef: Houston (Including Who Won)

Howie went on to appear on season 3 of the cooking show, putting him in home court advantage in Miami. He started in a rocky place, not being able to get food on his plate in time in the first challenge and nearly being sent home. But he was able to rally, winning two Elimination Challenges before finally getting cut by the judges in seventh place.

While participating on Top Chef, Howie earned the nickname "Bulldog" for his pugnacious attitude and frequent confrontation with other "cheftestants." But he took it and ran with it, even naming his restaurant of nine years Bulldog Barbecue. But those who knew Howie speak about how that bulldog image is only exterior. Inside beat the heart of someone who constantly supported children who faced food insecurity. He even was a regular contributor to "Taste of the Nation," a charity that aims to fight childhood hunger.

The Top Chef social media accounts posted a response to Howie's death on Monday, saying, "The #TopChef family is saddened to learn about the unexpected passing of Howard Kleinberg from season three. Howie’s passion for cooking filled so many and our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends."

Next, read our interview with the Top 3 of Top Chef: Houston, including winner Buddha Lo.