Longtime Portland chef Justin Woodward dies at 43

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A longtime Portland-area chef and James Beard nominee has died.

Former OK Omens chef Justin Woodward has passed away, the restaurant confirmed in a post on Instagram on Monday.

“He was a deeply loyal friend and he will be mourned and missed by us all,” the post said in part.

Woodward led the kitchens at Castagna and OK Omens for nearly 15 years. In 2023, he spoke with KOIN 6 News for a Northwest Grown segment on Castagna, where he described his joy for cooking and creating.

“I want the food to be obviously delicious, but I also want it to be, you know, exciting and beautiful,” Woodward said at the time.

Woodward was nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s Rising Star Chef award in 2013, and Best Chef Northwest each year from 2015 to 2018.

In an online obituary, his family shared that Woodward was 43 at the time of his passing. He died of liver failure due to alcoholism.

His family also said that they encourage anyone struggling with addiction to reach out for help.

“There is often shame associated with these struggles, and we hope this transparency will help inspire others to get help when needed,” they said.

A funeral service is planned for Oct. 13 near his home in Oceanside, Calif.