Michigan chef Maxcel Hardy dies at 40 as award-winning culinary leader's cause of death remains unknown

Chef Maxcel Hardy of Detroit died unexpectedly on Monday at the age of 40, a representative confirmed.

His cause of death remains unknown and the family has asked 'Detroit for prayers and privacy at this time,' according to David Rudolph, the family's spokesperson.

Rudolph, according to the Detroit News, had, at the time of his death, been looking forward to the long-awaited opening of his seafood restaurant What's Crackin'.

Hardy owned and operated several eateries around the city, including the shuttered Caribbean-Soul restaurant River Bistro, as well as Coop Detroit and Jed's Detroit.

He is survived by two daughters. 

Chef Maxcel Hardy, a beloved fixture of the Detroit culinary scene, died on Monday at 40

His death was confirmed by a representative for the family, though no cause of death was given

The chef, who specialized in blending Caribbean and Jamaican flavors, was a Detroit native who had spent time honing his craft in New York and Miami for a number of high-profile clients. 

His entrepreneurial streak led him to releasing a cookbook and signature line of dry spices. 

Over the course of his career, which began after he was trained at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami, Hardy strove to give back to his community.

A decade ago he founded the nonprofit One Chef Can 86 Hunger.

He described his charitable efforts as 'natural' and stemming from his childhood, during which his family sometimes suffered from a lack of resources.

'I just want to make sure if anybody’s hungry, we’re going to feed them,' he told The Detroit News in 2021. 'But also teaching kids how to do the same thing and understand how food grows, where it comes from, how to spend money and how to save and do this with their family.'

He worked on that goal with a handful of culinary-focused charities, in addition to his own. 

Hardy stands in front of his Detroit restaurant River Bistro - a Caribbean soul food eatery that shuttered during COVID

Hardy (left) a decade ago in New York City catered an event hosted by then-New York Knicks player Amar'e Stoudemire (center)

Hardy's Pizza and Burger takeout joint Jed's Detroit

For his work, both charitable and culinary, Hardy earned several significant accolades over the years. 

The Detroit News presented him with the Angelo B. Henderson Community Commitment Award, in addition to naming him one of their Michiganians of the Year.

He was then recognized by the New York Times as one of '16 Black chefs changing food in America.'

He told the Times that he was proud of helping to turn Detroit into a city where food might become a primary focus.

'Growing up in Detroit, you didn’t see chefs and restaurants elevated like that. It was Motor City, not Food City,' he said.

In 2022, he told Eater Detroit: 'My goal is to always open restaurants in the inner-city to help employ the community while providing great food.'

'I find that though it may be easier to open in a larger suburban area, it’s typical and would only serve myself. Food is at the center of everything, and I want to create restaurants that help sustain communities in need. I also try to show you can open successful restaurants in your hometown.'