Industry Pays Tribute to ChefStudio's Robert Reynolds

Chef Robert Reynolds, founder of SE Portland's ChefStudio, passed this morning after a battle with lymphoma. Per the Oregonian, Reynolds, who was 70 years old, passed "peacefully surrounded at home by friends and family and a very nice Armagnac." Many Portland chefs — including fellow ChefStudio instructors Kristen Murray and Courtney Sproule — counted Reynolds as a friend and mentor, and several tributes from industry insiders have found their way online. Over at PortlandFoodandDrink, the Dude shares his interactions with Reynolds-as-anonymous-commenter; at Portland Monthly, Karen Brooks collects thoughts from chef-friends, writing "when Robert Reynolds threw a dinner, it was an occasion — an intimate night of good eats, sparkling wines, and conversations that lead you down roads not yet taken."

Earlier this morning, Feast co-founder and friend Mike Thelin paid tribute, writing (reprinted here with permission): "Today the Portland food community lost its lion. Most are lucky to influence one or two people during a lifetime. Robert Reynolds inspired hundreds — if not thousands. To those who knew him, our lives are forever better thanks his wit, wisdom, warmth, generosity, and a point of view that sought truth in ingredient — and just about everything else. Here's to the teacher of teachers and chef of chefs."

Feel free to share your Robert stories in the comments. RIP.
· All Previous Robert Reynolds Coverage [Eater PDX]