Former 'Kitchen Nightmares' Chef Joe Cerniglia's Death Ruled a Suicide

By Zach Dionne Posted Sep 28th 2010 08:28AM

Joe Cerniglia, a New Jersey chef once featured on Gordon Ramsay's 'Kitchen Nightmares,' was found dead in the Hudson River on Friday. His death has now been ruled a suicide, the Star-Ledger reports via the New York Medical Examiner's office.

The cause of death was drowning, but blunt impact injuries were detected on his body. A 911 caller reported seeing someone jump from the George Washington Bridge an hour before Cerniglia's body was found, though an NYPD spokesman says the investigation is still in progress: "It could be a coincidence. It might not be. I don't know if it will ever be determined."

Cerniglia was a married 39-year-old with three sons. He bought Italian eatery Campania in Fair Lawn, NJ, six years ago and was featured on FOX's restaurant-revamping series in 2007. When the episode aired, Cerniglia told the Star-Ledger the phone began ringing and "didn't stop for a long, long time," adding, "For Gordon Ramsay to come in and do that, it was good PR for me."

The same newspaper earlier this year called Cerniglia's appearance on the show his "15 minutes of fame that keep on giving."

In the 2007 'Kitchen Nightmares' episode, Cerniglia said purchasing the restaurant had put him $80,000 in debt. "I am financially in trouble. The debt of this restaurant alone is overwhelming. My personal debt -- wife, kids, mortgage -- that's a lot of debt."

Ramsay was particularly dissatisfied with Cerniglia as a businessman. "Why would you decide to go into business if you haven't got a clue how to run a business?" the blunt Brit said.

Cerniglia's mother Pat said on-camera: "I worry about Joe. I worry about his stress levels."

His wife Melissa said at the time: "The hardest thing for me is people like us put everything on the line for a dream. I just want to see him succeed."

Cerniglia participated in a New Jersey version of 'Iron Chef,' called 'Ultimate Chef Bergen County,' and was recently deemed one of the five best chefs in the state by Inside Jersey magazine.

"He was just so interested in food and so animated," said Jill Hanifan, a frequent Campania guest who knew Cerniglia. "He even made you want to eat things you didn't like. He would sit down and talk to you about food, about growing food. I had made some green tomato relish, and he let me talk. He wasn't just about me, me, me, I, I, I."

The Star-Ledger once called Cerniglia's meatballs served at Campania arguably the best in the state.

Tags: Joe Cerniglia, Kitchen Nightmares

Comments

(13)

Tuesday 28 September

By RYAN

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He gave up on life and its sad because he was responsible for his wife and his children.Im sure it was money that did this to him or had himself do it to himself but you are going to die one day anyway.Ride this life until the end.

Wednesday 29 September

By Al Schrader

I've been dead (pnumonia) & the ER people brought me back. I've been to where there's no pleasure, no pain, no stress. But, That's what life is: pleasure & pain. There are always going to be bills, and hemorrhoids, and toothaches, and headaches, and stress, and fun, and pleasure and disappointments. That's what life is. He should have folded that up, and started something else. Suicide is stupid....Alfred-

By Adele H.

How sad. And now I worry about his family. I hope the PR he gained from fame helped balance out his finances. It would be awful if his wife was left drowning in debt while trying to raise the family alone.

By Donna

My prayers are with Joe, and his family at this tough time.

By Deborah Fausset

Wow, I remember watching that episode! So very sad, sorry to his family, gosh, I am at a loss for words. Rest in Peace

By Mic

I feel horrible for his family. Pray for them, he took the cowards way out leaving his family with all of the hell that follows. I KNOW what that hell is. I am raising 4 kids ALONE because of my husbands selfish act also.
Praying for his wife, kids and family...

By rosegabriel1313

THis article made me cry.....He was a very hard working man, that gave too much.....he had to be soft hearted, CHef Ramsey told him his business would go downt the Hudson" the outspoken often mean chef, but that was his fame, his nastyness. I pray for the family, and his soul..we are ALL fighting something now.His cooking was superb,his Bronzini was out of this world..God help him on his journey to YOU.....my husband and I were on that show)everyone there was amazing..we feel your pain and are so sorry.......barbara and val

By esteban

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YOU DONKEY !!! Make better risotto and scallops and you will be a hit but don't jump off a bridge. Wait time for me to take my shirt off and save your place, too late ? Opps, G Ramsey

By victor

Gee esteban- that was uncalled for. As if Ramsey hasn't been in bankruptcy himself and actually knows why it happens. What a doofus. Ramsey was right. The guy just flash in the pan opens a business w/o ANY biz skills. Total recipe for disaster- like 80% of failed businesses usually are because of. All bluster but very little know how. Sad. RIP.

By Paulina

My sympathy and prayers go out to his family in their grief, as well as to Gordon Ramsay who is probably just as sad about this event as all of us are. Maybe even more. And Esteban, really highly uncalled for. Whether you like Ramsay or not, this is very sad.

By gobluespartyon

R.I.P. Joe and my heart prayers go out to Joe & his family and & friends very sad.

By ckminton

VERY SELFISH TO ONLY THINK ABOUT HIMSELF WHEN HE HAS A WIFE AND CHILDREN.EVERYONE HAS UPS AND DOWNS IN LIFE BUT YOU DEAL WITH THEM.YOU DO NOT JUST OFF YOURSELF LIKE THAT.

By EasyG

I would symphatize if he was single and no one to take care of, but man, thats just cowardly selfish to get out of his "little money problem" the way he did! I will never abandon my family just for that reason.

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