Jamaican celebrity chef Alton Henry dies suddenly in New Jersey

Jamaican celebrity chef Alton Henry
Jamaican celebrity chef Alton Henry

(Jamaica Gleaner) Talented Jamaican celebrity chef Alton Henry has died in New Jersey, United States, on Saturday evening after suffering what appeared to be a heart attack while catering at an event.

Henry reportedly collapsed at a function in Morristown, New Jersey, and was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital where he died.

Henry grew up in St Thomas and was the chief executive officer of Touch of Elegance Catering, a company that offered nouvelle cuisine with a Jamaican twist to individuals and companies in the New York Tri-State region.

He also ran several restaurants in New Jersey and made a number of appearances on network television morning shows with his culinary creations.

The well-known chef was passionate about Jamaica’s culture, especially the cuisine, and he was always experimenting with new fusions. His rum and raisin cheesecake and jerked chicken pasta were stand-out temptations on his catering menu.

Only a few months ago, Henry had expressed interest in a new partnership for catering with one of New York’s top entertainment power couples.

Henry was scheduled to travel to the island next week to bury a relative who died tragically in an attempted robbery.