‘Top Chef’ star Leah Cohen’s husband, Ben Byruch, dies suddenly at 44

See more of our coverage in your search results. Ben Byruch, the husband of former “Top Chef” contestant Leah Cohen, has died. He was 44. The news was announced Thursday in a statement shared on Instagram by Pig & Khao, the restaurant Cohen and Byruch co-founded. “We are heartbroken to share the passing of Ben Byruch — husband to our chef and owner, Leah Cohen, devoted father, son, brother and friend to so many,” the statement read. Ben Byruch, the husband of former “Top Chef” contestant Leah Cohen, died at age 44. (Cohen and Byruch are pictured above in a Facebook post.) Leah Cohen/ facebook Byruch’s death was announced Thursday in a statement shared on Instagram by Pig & Khao, the restaurant he co-founded with Cohen. Leah Cohen/ instagram “Ben was the co-founder of Pig & Khao and its creative heart,” the statement continued. “His vision shaped who we are, and his warmth, passion and sense of humor touched everyone lucky enough to know him.” The statement also asked for privacy for Cohen and her family, adding, “We will miss him more than words can say.” Byruch’s cause of death was not immediately known. The statement described Byruch (seen above with Cohen in front of Pig & Khao) as the restaurant’s “creative heart,” adding that “his vision shaped who we are.” Byruch’s cause of death was not immediately known. (He is pictured above with Cohen in New York City in 2014.) Andrew Toth Cohen and Byruch married in July 2016, according to the Daily Mail, and went on to welcome two children together. Cohen, who competed on Season 5 of “Top Chef” between 2008 and 2009, gave birth to her and Byruch’s first child, a son named Carter Graham, in 2019. “Our little Carter is a vampire,” Cohen exclusively told Page Six at the time. “He sleeps all day and is up all night!” Cohen and Byruch (seen above) married in July 2016 and went on to welcome two children together. Leah Cohen/ instagram Cohen gave birth to her and Byruch’s first child, a son named Carter Graham, in 2019. (Cohen and Byruch are pictured above with their two sons in an Instagram post.) Leah Cohen/ instagram She said she “knew” she was expecting a boy before learning the baby’s sex, adding, “Then they said it. I was thrilled. I’m, like, a tomboy.” The “Great American Recipe” judge also shared that Carter was born 11 days early, which came as an “adjustment” for both her and Byruch. “We were 95% ready, but the 5% that wasn’t ready [was important], like the bassinet,” she added. Cohen (seen above on “Watch What Happens Live” last April) told Page Six at the time that she “knew” she was expecting a boy before learning the baby’s sex. Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images Cohen (pictured above with Byruch in an Instagram post) also revealed that Carter was born 11 days early, which came as an “adjustment” for both her and Byruch. Ben Byruch/ instagram Want more celebrity and pop culture news? Start your day with Page Six Daily. Thanks for signing up! At the time, Cohen also said she wasn’t quite ready to think about having another child. “If I decide to have another kid — not anytime soon,” she told Page Six. The couple welcomed their second child, another son named Baker Scott, in 2022. Earlier this month, Cohen shared photos on Instagram from a family trip to Hawaii, where the family of four attended the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival. Cohen and Byruch (seen above with their two sons) welcomed their second child, another son named Baker Scott, in 2022. Leah Cohen/ instagram Earlier this month, Cohen shared photos on Instagram from a family trip to Hawaii, where the family of four (pictured above) attended the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival. Leah Cohen/ instagram In the photos, Cohen and Byruch posed alongside Carter and Baker, with the “Tournament of Champions” contestant writing in the caption, “Second time in Hawaii and I’m even more in love.” “I’m grateful I get to do what I love, travel the world and make these memories with my family,” Cohen added. A GoFundMe has been launched in Byruch’s memory to support Cohen and their two sons following his death. Community Guidelines Welcome to the Page Six Community! Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas in a safe space. In order to do so, we've created a simple set of rules that will improve your experience. Simply put, keep it civil. 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