The Louisville food community has lost one of its most iconic chefs and champions.

Chef Anoosh Shariat, a local culinary pioneer known for his philanthropic work, infectious smile and creativity on the plate, died on Wednesday after a years-long battle with cancer. He was 67 years old.

Non-profit organization among social media messages honoring Sharia Apron Inc. He was one of the first to share the chef’s death on Facebook. Shariat played a major role in starting the organization, which provides temporary, limited financial assistance to needy professional food and beverage workers in the Louisville area.

“It is with great sadness but also love that we celebrate the legendary life of Chief Anoosh Shariat, who we lost today.” read the article.

Gary Fox, president Apron Inc.., told the Courier Journal that he learned of Sharati’s passing early Wednesday.

He said the two met about 13 years ago. Fox credits Shariat as a talented chef at his restaurants, including Anoosh Bistro. Noosh Nosh, he is also a leader ready to generously mentor young chefs and celebrate other restaurants.

“He’s one of those people who manages to be successful while still showing care and compassion,” Fox said. “He is one of the absolute good guys of all time.”

Apron Inc. recently honored the chef with its top award at its annual fundraiser.

A video about Sharia was played during the ceremony, offering a look at the legendary chef’s roots and rise in the food world.

Sharia was born in Iran in 1957. In his youth, he left his hometown to attend high school in Germany, where his brother helped him find a job in the school cafeteria. His first job and introduction to the restaurant industry, sorting silverware, would help him learn the language. That was the idea anyway.

In the video he published on YouTube, Shariat shared that his passion for cooking started here.

She then moved to Dallas, where Shariat worked hard to fine-tune her cooking skills by working multiple jobs simultaneously.

This caught the attention of developer Charles Osborn, who was also its founder. Norton CommonsHe brought Shariat to Louisville to serve as executive chef of Remington’s, a fine dining restaurant.

In the early 1990s, the head chef opened his own place called Shariat’s Restaurant.

He opened Anoosh Bistro in 2013, and nearby Noosh Nosh followed.

More: Louisville chef Anoosh Shariat has died. A look at 7 recipes from our archives

Around this time, chefs like Dallas McGarity were drawing attention to Louisville’s food scene by opening upscale restaurants.

“He helped put Louisville on the national food scene and always wanted great things for everyone,” said McGarity, a James Beard Award semifinalist. Fat Lambhe told the Courier Journal.

After hearing of Shariat’s passing, McGarity remembered Shariat’s “kindness and wisdom.”

“Louisville lost one of its finest people today,” he told the Courier Journal. “(His) legacy will live on through the food community he cherished and all the lives he touched. “I can only hope to be as influential and as loved as he is.”

Shariat retired from the restaurant business in April. Anoosh Bistro was previously sold to chef Daniel Davidson. Log Still Distillery And Churchill Downsand now a concept called Ata Restaurant.

Throughout his career, Shariat has worked for Apron Inc. He continued to host and support fundraising events for .

Among the many things that make Sharia an “inspiration,” this one catches the attention of local food blogger JC Phelps, who runs the site JCP Foods and he knows the sharia well.

“He spread positivity through his food, his life, and his career,” Phelps told the Courier Journal. “It was just bliss. “He continued to be a beacon for food, a beacon for philanthropy, and I know that inspired a lot of people, including me.”

At the ceremony in September, attended by about 200 people, Fox said it felt like an “honest and loving farewell.”

“A lot of people got to hug him and tell him they loved him,” Fox said.

And Sharia still had that “big smile”.

It exemplified the slogan “Eat Well” as Fox said. I Love Life.”

“He made sure everyone ate really well,” he said. “And he really loved life.”

Shariat is survived by his wife, Paula Barmore, three daughters, a son, a stepson, and numerous grandchildren.

Reach food and dining reporter Amanda Hancock at [email protected].

This article first appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal: Anoosh Shariat, the Louisville chef behind Anoosh Bistro, Noosh Nosh, has died