Friends, family and loved ones have been sharing their grief and shock after a local, beloved chef died suddenly.
Patrick Feury, 57, passed away last weekend in his home in Paoli after an accidental fall on Feb. 12, according to his brother, chef Terence Feury. Both brothers were known in the food world and had a “friendly sibling rivalry,” including competing on the Food Network’s ‘Beat Bobby Flay’ where Terrence came out as the winner.
“I’ll put it the simplest way I can: He just wanted to be loved and make people happy,” Terrence told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Patrick Feury collaborated with local farmers and food makers including Yellow Springs Farm in Chester County. His time in the culinary world was spent around the globe, with stops in Mays Landing, New Jersey, where he graduated from the Academy of Culinary Arts; New York City for an internship at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel that turned into a full-time gig; as well as time at Le Cirque; Paris working at Les Olivades; and Atlantic City working with chef Susanna Foo at her restaurant Suilan at the Borgata.
Feury had Philly roots as well. Along with his brother, both siblings worked at Striped Bass, then owned by Neil Stein, and later on Avenue B, which opened in late 2000 at Broad and Spruce streets.
Nectar, located in the Main Line area, was perhaps the most well-known spot for the late chef, which he took over in 2004. He also spent time at The Common, among other local eateries.
“His culinary curiosity spanned the globe,” said Inquirer critic Craig LaBan, who also noted to the news outlet his “passion and peerless technique, from Taiwanese street food and dumplings to Swedish cured fish, refined French sauces, and the ultimate burger indulgence.”
“He paid all the attention to the details,” said Michael Wei to the Inquirer, a partner in Nectar who recruited Feury and became friends with him. “The grief is beyond words,” said Henry Chu, also a partner.
Feury is survived by son, Thomas, 16, and daughter, Nicole, 18, from a previous marriage. He was living at the time of his death with his fiancée, Jessica Cornacchio and her daughters Paige, 11, and Pali, 9.
“He was my best friend,” said his fiancée, Jessica Cornacchio. “He was funny and witty and brilliant and made everyone feel like he was a close friend. He also wanted people to know the sources of everything. He met the farmers and the brewers and was really amazing at creating relationships.”
Feury was also known by his loved ones for his ice carvings, fishing excursions, skiing expeditions and kind spirit.
A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23.
