Guy Fieri Reveals He Kept a Special Memento Honoring Late Chef Carl 'The Cuban' Ruiz Andrea ReiherSeptember 21, 2025 at 11:01 PM 0 Carl Ruiz's Twitter On September 21, 2019, the culinary world lost one of its brightest personalities when Chef Carl Ruiz — known affectionately as "The Cuban" on Guy's ...
- - Guy Fieri Reveals He Kept a Special Memento Honoring Late Chef Carl 'The Cuban' Ruiz
Andrea ReiherSeptember 21, 2025 at 11:01 PM
0
Carl Ruiz's Twitter
On September 21, 2019, the culinary world lost one of its brightest personalities when Chef Carl Ruiz — known affectionately as "The Cuban" on Guy's Grocery Games — died suddenly at just 44 years old. Six years later, his close friend Guy Fieri marked the anniversary with a moving Instagram tribute that had fans and friends laughing through the tears.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Guy Fieri (@guyfieri)
Fieri wrote, "I miss you so much, my brother Chef Carl. You cooked, You laughed, You lit up the world, You are one of a kind. RIP the CUBAN #6thAnniversary."
Alongside the heartfelt caption, Fieri shared two photos. The first shows Ruiz in one of his signature looks: a wild fur coat, a trucker hat, and a cigarette hanging from his mouth. In the second, Fieri strikes the exact same pose — same outstretched arms, his own trucker hat, but this time with a cigar — wearing what appears to be Ruiz's actual fur coat.
RELATED: Food Network Fave Joe Sasto Honors Late Mom & Iconic 'Stache With Striking New Project
The post quickly lit up the comments section. Chef Eric Greenspan, another Guy's Grocery Games regular, cracked: "Oh s**t. You have the coat?" Fans loved the revelation that Fieri has kept the statement piece alive as a way of honoring his late friend.
Tributes poured in from across the food world:
Food writer and Food Network personality Simon Majumdar wrote, "He was, from the get-go, a superstar, a man with the most unassailable sense of fun and humor and a man of great loyalty. I only wish I had time to know him better."
RELATED: Beloved Star Launching Food Network Show in Historic First
Friend Rutledge Wood wrote, "He was one in a million ❤️❤️ miss him tons," while Food Network Star and Guy's Grocery Games contestant Martie Duncan wrote, "Broke the mold. ❤️."
A fan added, "It's so lovely that you celebrate him every year. ❤️."
Ruiz, who rose to Food Network fame after Fieri featured his Italian deli Marie's Italian Specialties on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, became a fan-favorite judge and competitor on Guy's Grocery Games. His sharp wit, big laugh, and larger-than-life style made him unforgettable, especially when Fieri tricked him into judging the spicy foods episodes.
Earlier this year, on what would have been Ruiz's 50th birthday, Fieri also shared a tribute: "Happy 50th birthday to my brother/friend/chef Carl 'The Cuban' Ruiz. Miss you, my brutha RIP."
Fans say Fieri's annual remembrances — especially this year's surprise coat reveal — are proof that Chef Carl's spirit is still very much alive in the Food Network family.
🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: "AOL AOL Entertainment"
Source: GL MAG
Full Article on Source: GL MAG
#LALifestyle #USCelebrities