Local chef, reality TV celeb Rachel Brown found dead

by Arnold Wayne Jones of Dallas Voice

Arnold Wayne Jones

Rachel Brown last year, after her appearance on the summer reality series Hell's Kitchen.

DALLAS — Rachel Brown, the Oak Cliff-based personal chef who became a national celebrity last summer following her appearance on the Fox reality show Hell's Kitchen, was found dead in her family home in Bedford on May 9, according to her sister, Dr. Mary Brown.

The death is currently under investigation, Dr. Brown said.

Rachel, who turned 41 on May 5, was the youngest of five children and an excellent athlete as a student. She worked for more than 10 years as caterer, personal chef and cooking instructor. She won praise for her work at Sur la Table teaching children how to cook, and hoped to open a cooking school for underprivileged youth, Dr. Brown said.

"She was a delight," Dr. Brown said of her sister, who left behind a girlfriend and two cats. "She was funny and sweet and worked really hard."

Brown became an iconic participant on the competition show Hell's Kitchen which pits professional chefs against each other and volatile judge Gordon Ramsay for the prize of a part-ownership in a Las Vegas resort. Brown lost, but her quasi-romance with another female contestant became a reality TV first.

After the show aired, Brown told Dallas Voice that she had no regrets about the game.

Brown's body was cremated earlier this week. A memorial service for her will be at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road in Hurst on May 26, at 2 p.m. Dr. Brown invited her friends to attend and share their remembrances of her sister.

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Verified User
Anonymous

Rachel rented a loft from me at Magnolia Station and she was warm and funny and dedicated. She always hugged me.

We lost contact when I left the property in 2001, but I've never forgotten her kindness.

My deepest sympathies to her family.

Anne Young Fritsche Verified

2 years, 6 months ago
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i watched that series and thought she showed very good character. i never realized she was from this area; sara horowitz, who was in the series the same season, got a lot more attention as being from dallas

Teresa Gubbins Staff

2 years, 6 months ago
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I work at Sur La Table and we are all so saddened by her death, and miss her terribly.

Susan Thornton Verified

2 years, 6 months ago
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so has there been any discussion at sur la table regarding the cause of her death? she seemed very fit

Teresa Gubbins Staff

2 years, 6 months ago
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No cause has been given, but we were told there was an accident. She had been in the store on the Wednesday of her death and it's been very hard for her good friends at SLT.

Susan Thornton Verified

2 years, 6 months ago
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Wow, what a shame. I'm curious what happened, and as a Chef, our lives are full of passion, but also such hard work and dedication. It's a shame that she could not live long enough to retire and enjoy some time off... as long as she enjoyed her time her, hats off to her...a fallen sister.

Chef Tony www.cheflifeonline.com

cheftony Anonymous

2 years, 6 months ago
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Hi, I watched rachel on hells kitchen from my place in south london. she was great, and an inspiration to teamwork. It's such a damn shame, because win or lose HK, she had it in her to own a rocking restaurant. I noticed that there was a page set aside for her on www.tv.com its quite a famous site, here's the link if anyone wants to add some information about her in her memory. My love goes out to Rachel's girlfriend at this distressing time. Kind regards Charmaine

http://www.tv.com/rachel-brown/person...

charmainekemp Anonymous

2 years, 5 months ago
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Rachel Brown was a very sweet, loving and kind person who loved to laugh and make you laugh as well. Her smile lit up any and every room she entered. It is a shame that it burned out so fast. She will forever have a place in my heart, as I am sure in in many others as well. There are so many memories of the times we would just hang out and do stupid things good friends do. Going to Hooters will never be the same, dumpster diving has lost its appeal ( Which that really was Rachels idea anyway)the item we found just needed a little TLC. And her catch phrase "How you doin?" with the pearly whites will not be duplicated with the same flare she had given it. Mary, you had an awesome sister and she was a joy to be around. I am sure that makes you very proud. My prayers are with you and your family and if you ever need anything you have my number, so use it!

Shelley Pogue