Award-winning Portland chef Naomi Pomeroy drowned in a tubing accident on the Willamette River near Corvallis, Oregon. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office reported that Pomeroy, 49, was tubing with her husband, chef Kyle Linden Webster, and a friend when she was caught on a snag and pulled underwater. Despite rescue efforts, Pomeroy’s body was not recovered until Wednesday, when canoeists found her upstream.

Pomeroy, known for her French-influenced restaurant Beast, won the prestigious James Beard Award in 2014 and appeared on “Iron Chef” and “Top Chef Masters.” She recently opened a frozen custard shop, Cornet Custard, and was preparing to open a new restaurant.

Food critic Karen Brooks wrote that Portland is in shock over the loss of one of its brightest culinary stars. Tributes from fellow chefs, including Amanda Freitag and Dominique Crenn, poured in, remembering Pomeroy as a creative and committed culinary leader.

Pomeroy, who was also listed among Oprah magazine’s 10 Women on the Rise in 2010, hoped to be remembered for promoting the importance of knowing where our food comes from. Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon mourned her loss, calling her an amazing human being and a leader in food excellence.