60°F
weather icon Partly Cloudy

Veteran chef’s death shocks culinary community

Updated March 27, 2021 - 11:21 am

Chef Bobby Silva, a longtime fixture of the local culinary community, who recently took the chef de cuisine position at Sparrow + Wolf, has died.

According to a statement from the restaurant, Silva passed away unexpectedly Tuesday night.

Silva was a native of Southern California who relocated to Las Vegas after high school.

After discovering a love for sushi while working at Rick Moonen’s RM Seafood, he went on to work at SushiSamba at Palazzo, Sake Rok in The Park near T-Mobile Arena, David Chang’s Momofuku and Hatsumi in Ferguson’s Downtown. In 2013, he appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. Silva joined the Sparrow + Wolf team in January to focus on research and development.

Writing on Facebook Friday, Sparrow + Wolf owner Brain Howard said “Bobby came into our restaurant at one of the hardest times a restaurant could be operating. Constant pivots, evolving and re-inventing. He brought a beautiful mind and breath of fresh air to our team, his work ethic is like no other and he is a true technician in the kitchen.”

Several other chefs and members of the local culinary community have taken to social media to share memories of Silva, who is survived by two sons, Robert and Alex, and extended family in Southern California. A GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses and support Silva’s family is expected to be launched shortly. Plans for a tribute also are being discussed.

The Review-Journal is owned by the family of Sheldon Adelson, the late CEO and chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp., which operates Palazzo.

Contact Al Mancini at amancini@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlManciniVegas on Twitter.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
 
Costco cracking down on non-members eating at food courts

The wholesale store chain known for cheap eats like its $1.50 hot dog combo is reportedly taking steps to stop non-members from eating at its food courts.

What is Las Vegas’ Brewery Row?

The Brewery Row concept was introduced as another way to make the Arts District area near Downtown Las Vegas stand out by offering many different beer options.

 
A guide to Easter brunches in Las Vegas for 2024

Restaurants on and off the Strip are celebrating the arrival of spring with specials, prix fixe menus and bottomless drinks.