Natalie Firmin-Chavez, a German-Mexican chef, marketing strategist and creator of the FeedmySol website, has died suddenly. Her tragic passing left the culinary community and the countless lives she touched in despair. On Saturday, September 28, 2024, Natalie passed away unexpectedly at the age of 34. She left behind a rich legacy of invention and creativity in the culinary industry, as well as a lasting impression on all who had the pleasure of knowing her. Friends and family members referred to her as “a whole galaxy” whose warmth, love and joy of life had a profound effect on everyone who came in contact with her, and not just a culinary star.
The FeedmySol Instagram account, which Natalie curated to inspire both foodies and visitors, was used to announce Natalie's passing. A message on the post read, “Natalie is not someone you meet; she leaves a lasting impression on you.” You were incredibly lucky to know her, whether it was through her cooking classes, friends or relatives. It was a whole galaxy, not just a star. Her intentional and intense affection for everyone around her changed something in each of us.
In addition to being a chef and trailblazer, Natalie Firmin-Chavez was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter and cat mom. Every connection and meal she prepared was inspired by her intense and purposeful affection for everyone in her immediate vicinity. Her legacy lives on because of her cuisine, her humor and her ability to enjoy even the small moments of happiness. Her sudden death left a huge hole in the hearts of her loved ones and the international community of cooks, foodies and tourists who followed her travels and benefited from her knowledge.
Natalie's parents, a Mexican father and a German mother, had a significant influence on how she saw life and food. Growing up in a bicultural family, Natalie was exposed to a variety of culinary customs from a young age. She spent hours in her grandmother's kitchen watching her Ebola prepare authentic Mexican meals, and that's where her love of cooking began. She then credited those early years with strengthening her love of cooking and helping her realize the unifying power of food as a medium for storytelling, cultural exchange and interpersonal connection.
