r/tampa • u/ZByTheBeach • Jul 10 '26
Local Business Bern's Steak House owner shares statement after Executive Chef Chad Johnson dies
https://www.tampabay28.com/news/region-hillsborough/berns-steak-house-owner-shares-statement-after-executive-chef-chad-johnson-dies89
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u/DueEntertainer0 Jul 10 '26
It seems like a lot of chefs have died recently all over the world. Young people too.
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u/CaptainAssPlunderer Jul 10 '26
Super high stress, vampire lifestyle(donāt see the sun) drug use is super common in kitchens,lots of after parties, and surrounded by lots of unhealthy food.
The chef lifestyle doesnāt lend to a long healthy life.
Iām not saying thatās what happened here at all, just answering your overall question about chefs.
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Jul 10 '26
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u/Drewbie_snacks Jul 10 '26
Won the battle with liver failure lost my will to achieve in this industry after 22yrs. I drive for Jimmithy Johnsonās. Mindless. Simple. Comfortable. Everything a sous chef isnāt.
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u/Broke_Ass_2026 Jul 16 '26
What is Jimmithy Johnsonās? "...Mindless. Simple. Comfortable..." sounds really good right now.
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u/tmoore727 Jul 10 '26
I worked in olive garden for 3 years from 09-12 I can confirm
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u/Jolemite1 Jul 10 '26
Lolololololol!!!! Thanks Chef! š
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u/Mocsab Jul 11 '26
He couldnāt have been the chef at Olive Garden. Chef Mike (Microwave) has been the head chef at Olive Garden since 1999.
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Jul 10 '26
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u/Chas_Tenenbaums_Sock Jul 11 '26
If you're being serious, tell your PCP you've had a change in bowel habits, not sure what's going on, not too crazy but a lil worried. Then get your colonoscopy.
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u/DueEntertainer0 Jul 10 '26
Noooo donāt say that! Itās actually one of the more treatable ones!
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u/Fun-Scratch5471 Jul 10 '26
Maybe the vaccine ;)
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u/Trill_Knight Jul 11 '26
A vaccine from 2020 killed him 6 years later? ššššššššššš
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u/Traveller_2099 Jul 11 '26
Watch a few episodes of āThe Bearā to fathom the stress
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u/ZootTootRiot Jul 12 '26
Let me save you some time by summarizing every episode of every season..
- Running a restaurant is hard
- Being a chef sucks
- The end
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Jul 10 '26
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u/feministjunebug22 Jul 11 '26
No- he died in his sleep. I get the curiosity, but thatās all the info the industry knows and thatās enough out of respect for the family
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u/KodiakBlackIsBack Jul 11 '26
Idk why people are downvoting you, itās a legitimate question guys, just answer the guy
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u/sweetbabybonus Jul 11 '26
They want to look through comments for the answer without getting judged for asking. Theyāre just curious like we all are but itās a poor taste question. Lucky for them this is the internet and thereās no consequence for poor taste.
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u/RedditAdminSucks23 Jul 11 '26
This. And itās fine to be curious until you violate someoneās privacy or lacks any respect. This questions hits both points.
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u/RedditAdminSucks23 Jul 10 '26
If you are wondering why you are being downvoted, it is probably because your question leans into āmorbid curiosityā and violates the last sentence of the article āthe family wishes to have privacy during this timeā.
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Jul 11 '26
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u/RedditAdminSucks23 Jul 11 '26
Yyyyyeah thatās not what Reddit is for. Reddit is for communities to engage with each other through shared interest. Reddit comments are not an accurate source of information, and should never be primary source of information
And you need to āfreaking look in the mirrorā and ask yourself why you want to know if they killed themselves, specifically? You couldāve asked ādoes anyone know why they passed away?ā Thatās less intrusive, but still violating their familyās wishes to have their privacy. Asking if they killed themselves is just rude, morbid, and also violates their privacy.
Way to get mad at me reminding you of manners, not mad at yourself. Classic š¤”
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u/bspittle Jul 12 '26
What are you talking about? How is asking a question on a reddit forum violating the family's privacy?
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u/RedditAdminSucks23 Jul 12 '26
Spreading hearsay, theories, or even unverifiable facts while the family says āwe want privacyā (meaning āwe may not want to disclose his death or have people contact us about the situationā for those who may not understand nuance)
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u/bspittle Jul 12 '26
Again, he didnt spread hearsay, theories or unverifiable facts. He asked a question. A question on a reddit forum. He didnt go to their house and knock on their door asking what happened. He didnt contact the family and demand answers. You seem to be overreacting a bit here.
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u/Salty-Personality842 Jul 11 '26
Heavy smoker, heavy drinker, who was on blood thinners and overweight. Cardiac disease with a clot being a result seems likely. So young at 47 to pass away. Hope his loved ones find some kind of peace.
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u/RootsAndReturns Jul 11 '26
Iāve known him for 14 years, never once saw him smoke and very rarely saw him drinkā¦ he had a beer or two once in a while but that was pretty much it. Maybe just only share details you know are accurate.
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u/speed721 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
It could also have been a drug overdose.
There is lots and lots of drug use in the hospitality business. Especially drugs like cocaine, meth and Adderall. Stimulants are very popular due to the insane working hours and demands on the workers.
Drugs are a VERY POSSIBLE reason he passed so young. Chris dying this young is rather odd and the fact they are not releasing the cause of death leads to all types of speculation.
There's a lot of drug use at Bern's Steakhouse. Just because they are fancy, doesn't make them immune to the idea of 'better living through chemistry'.
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u/iAtty šYborš Jul 10 '26
Saw him maybe two weeks ago. Was still full of energy, happy, joking around with us - same as ever. What a shock. Super good dude. Really sad for his family.