The MasterChef community is mourning the loss of Matthew Gagnon, a beloved season 11 contestant who died “unexpectedly” at just 42 years old.
The Connecticut native, who appeared on MasterChef: Legends in 2021 alongside Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, and Joe Bastianich, was known for his humor, warmth, and passion for food. According to his obituary, Gagnon passed away on December 15. No cause of death has been shared.
Though he worked in construction, Gagnon’s heart was always in the kitchen. “He loved preparing meals for family and friends, bringing people together with his culinary talents and warm spirit,” a GoFundMe set up in his honor reads.
He leaves behind his wife Stephanie, their two children, Haylee and Mason, and a large circle of loved ones who describe him as “quick with a joke” and the kind of person “everyone enjoyed being around.”
Outside the kitchen, Gagnon loved golf, family camping trips, and watching his kids shine — cheering on his daughter at competitions and playing “Daddy Caddy” for his son on the green.
Fans have flooded social media with condolences and memories of the talented home cook who once wowed Ramsay with his heart and humor on national TV.
“He brought so much joy to everyone around him,” one supporter wrote. “He’ll never be forgotten.”
Source: People Magazine / GoFundMe / Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home
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