'Top Chef Masters' Winner Floyd Cardoz Dead At 59 From Coronavirus Complications

World-renowned chef and "Top Chef Masters" season 3 winner Floyd Cardoz died on Wednesday, Mar. 25, at 59 years old, a spokesperson for his private company, Hunger Inc. Hospitality confirmed.

Cardoz tested positive for coronavirus on Mar. 18 and was receiving treatment at the Mountainside Medical Center in New Jersey.

"It is with deep sorrow that we inform you of the passing away of Chef Floyd Cardoz," the Hunger Inc. Hospitality statement read. "He is survived by his mother Beryl, wife Barkha and sons Justin and Peter."

On Mar. 17, Cardoz shared on his Instagram that he was in the hospital after "feeling feverish" a week after a trip. According to Variety, the chef was filming in India for a segment on the Netflix series "Ugly Delicious" with actor Aziz Ansari.

"I was feeling feverish and hence as a precautionary measure, admitted myself into hospital in New York. I was hugely anxious about my state of health," he wrote. "I returned to New York on March 8th via Frankfurt."

Raised in Mumbai, Cardoz attended culinary school at the Les Roches in Switzerland before moving to New York City to launch his career.

In 1998, Cardoz opened Tabla with Danny Meyer, which became a highly-popular Indian restaurant in the Big Apple until it closed in 2010. Through his years as Tabla's executive chef, Cardoz received numerous critical acclaims and recognition, including multiple nominations for the James Beard Award for Best Chef.

Cardoz re-teamed with Meyer to establish North End Grill while he competed in "Top Chef Masters" season 3.

Upon the news of his death, "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi posted a tribute to Cardoz on social media.

"He had an impish smile, an innate need to make those around him happy, and a delicious touch,” Lakshmi wrote. “This is a huge loss not only for the professional food world, but for Indians everywhere. My heart goes out to his wife Barkha, and their whole family. RIP.”

The esteemed chef also opened Pao Walla in Soho and the Bombay Bread Bar, which closed shop in 2019. He opened three other restaurants in Mumbai: Bombay Canteen, O Pedro, and Bombay Sweet Shop.

Cardoz also released two cookbooks in his career: “One Spice, Two Spice; American Food, Indian Flavors” and “Floyd Cardoz: Flavorwalla: Big Flavor."