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Anoush Shariat, the longtime Louisville chef who created Anoosh Bistro and Noosh Nosh, has died

Anoush Shariat, the longtime Louisville chef who created Anoosh Bistro and Noosh Nosh, has died

Louisville’s culinary community has lost one of its most celebrated chefs and champions.

Chef Anush Shariat, a pioneer of the local culinary scene known for his philanthropic work, infectious smile and creativity on the plate, died Wednesday after a years-long battle with cancer. He was 67.

Amidst a flood of messages on social media praising Sharia, the non-profit organization Apron Inc. was one of the first to post about the chef’s death on Facebook. Shariat was instrumental in starting the organization, which provides temporary and limited financial assistance to food and beverage professionals in need in the Louisville area.

“It is with great sadness but so much love that we honor the legendary life of Chef Anush Shariat, whom we lost today.” read the post

Gary Fox, President Apron Inc., learned of Sharati’s death early Wednesday, he told the Courier Journal.

According to him, they met about 13 years ago. Fox remembers Shariat as a talented chef at his restaurants, including Anoosh Bistro and Nush Nush as well as a leader willing to generously mentor young chefs and celebrate other restaurants.

“He’s one of those people who has managed to be successful while still being caring and caring,” Fox said. “He’s one of the absolute good guys of all time.”

Apron Inc. recently honored the chef with its top award at its annual fundraiser.

During the ceremony, a video about Shariat was played, offering a glimpse into the legendary chef’s roots and his rise on the culinary scene.

Shariat was born in 1957 in Iran. As a teenager, he left his hometown to attend high school in Germany, where his brother helped him get a job in the school cafeteria. Working to separate silverware, his first job and exposure to the restaurant industry, would help him learn the language. Anyway, that was the idea.

That’s where his passion for cooking started,” Shariat shared in a video posted on YouTube.

Anush Shariat, owner/chef of Noosh Nosh, takes a hot pizza out of the oven for a takeout order to be delivered outside in Louisville, Kentucky on March 25, 2020. Noosh Nosh is serving its customers following the governor's order to close restaurants and bars during lunch hours due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.Anush Shariat, owner/chef of Noosh Nosh, takes a hot pizza out of the oven for a takeout order to be delivered outside in Louisville, Kentucky on March 25, 2020. Noosh Nosh is serving its customers following the governor's order to close restaurants and bars during lunch hours due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

Anush Shariat, owner/chef of Noosh Nosh, takes a hot pizza out of the oven for a takeout order to be delivered outside in Louisville, Kentucky on March 25, 2020. Noosh Nosh is serving its customers following the governor’s order to close restaurants and bars during lunch hours due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

He then moved to Dallas, where Shariat worked hard to hone his culinary chops while holding down multiple jobs.

This caught the attention of developer Charles Osborne, also a founder Norton Commonswho brought Shariat to Louisville to become executive chef at Remington’s fine dining restaurant.

In the early 1990s, the chef opened his own restaurant called Shariat Restaurant.

In 2013, he opened Anoosh Bistro, followed by Noosh Nosh next door.

more: Louisville chef Anoush Shariat has died. Take a look at 7 of his recipes from our archives

Around this time, chefs like Dallas McGarity were opening upscale restaurants, drawing attention to Louisville’s gastronomy.

“He helped put Louisville on the national culinary scene and always wanted something delicious for everyone,” McGarity, a James Beard Award semifinalist who owns Fat lambtold “Kurier”.

Paula Barmore and Anush Shariat, the power couple behind Anush and Noosh Nosh Bistro.Paula Barmore and Anush Shariat, the power couple behind Anush and Noosh Nosh Bistro.

Paula Barmore and Anush Shariat, the power couple behind Anush and Noosh Nosh Bistro.

Upon hearing of Shariat’s death, McGarity recalled Shariat’s “kindness and wisdom.”

“Louisville lost one of its best men today,” he told the Courier Journal. “(His) legacy will live on through the food community he loved and through all the lives he touched. I can only hope to be as influential and beloved as he is.”

In April, Shariat left the restaurant business. Anoosh Bistro has been sold to chef Daniel Davidson, formerly of Log Still Distillery and Churchill Downsand now this concept is called restaurant äta.

Throughout his career, Shariat continued to host and support fundraisers for Apron Inc.

Among the many things that make Shariat “inspirational,” it concerns JC Phelps, a local food blogger who runs the site JCP is eating and knows Sharia well.

“He radiated positivity through his food, his life and his career,” Phelps told the Courier Journal. “He was just a joy. He continued to be a beacon for food, a beacon for charity, and I know that inspired a lot of people, including me.”

Anush Shariat, owner/chef of Noosh Nosh, slathers sauce on a curbside takeout pizza in Louisville, Kentucky on March 25, 2020. Noosh Nosh is serving its customers in response to the governor's order to close restaurants and bars due to concerns about the outbreak of the coronavirus.Anush Shariat, owner/chef of Noosh Nosh, slathers sauce on a curbside takeout pizza in Louisville, Kentucky on March 25, 2020. Noosh Nosh is serving its customers in response to the governor's order to close restaurants and bars due to concerns about the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Anush Shariat, owner/chef of Noosh Nosh, slathers sauce on a curbside takeout pizza in Louisville, Kentucky on March 25, 2020. Noosh Nosh is serving its customers in response to the governor’s order to close restaurants and bars due to concerns about the outbreak of the coronavirus.

At the ceremony in September, which was attended by about 200 people, Fox said it was “an honest and loving farewell”.

“So many people had to hug him and tell him they loved him,” Fox said.

And Shariat still wore that “big smile.”

As Fox said, he exemplified his motto: “Eat well. Love life.”

“He made sure everyone ate well,” he said. “And he really loved life.”

Shariat is survived by his wife Paula Barmore, three daughters, one son, one stepson and numerous grandchildren.

Contact food and restaurant reporter Amanda Hancock at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on the Louisville Courier Journal: Anoush Shariat, the Louisville chef behind Anoush Bistro, Noosh Noosh, has died