Food Critic Josh Ozersky Found Dead in Chicago Hotel

Wednesday, May 06, 2015

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Features Editor

Josh Ozersky and Geoff Latham at Nicky USA 25th Anniversary. Photo by Jordan Fox.

One of journalism's top food critics and writers—and a recent transplant to Portland—Josh Ozersky was found dead in his hotel room at the Conrad Chicago Hotel on Monday, May 4.

No word has been released on the cause of his death. Ozersky was in Chicago for the James Beard Awards.

Recently Ozersky, a longtime journalist for top publications such as Esquire and Time and founder of Meatopia, was spotted in Portland with Geoff Latham at a "happy hour" celebration of Nicky USA's 25th Anniversary, Nicky USA, at Jacobsen Salt Co. in Southeast Portland.

Ozerksy was 47 at the time of his death.

Related Slideshow: Nicky USA Celebrates 25 Years in Business

Party Report: In celebration of their 25th Anniversary, Nicky USA, held a private "happy hour" party at Jacobsen Salt Co. in Southeast Portland. It was a chance for Nicky USA to say thank you to all those in and out of the culinary community who helped them reach this timely milestone.

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Geoff & Nicky USA friends

Geoff Latham (center) and friends from Bull Run Distillery at a "happy hour" celebration of Nicky USA's 25th Anniversary, Nicky USA, at Jacobsen Salt Co. in Southeast Portland. It was a chance for Nicky USA to say thank you to all those in and out of the culinary community who helped them reach this timely milestone.

Photo by Jordan Fox

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Geoff and his Banker

Geoff Latham and his banker at a "happy hour" celebration of Nicky USA's 25th Anniversary, Nicky USA, at Jacobsen Salt Co. in Southeast Portland. It was a chance for Nicky USA to say thank you to all those in and out of the culinary community who helped them reach this timely milestone

Photo by Jordan Fox

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Chef's Paley & Bettinger

Vitaly Paley of Imperial with Ben Bettinger, chef of Laurelhurst Market at a "happy hour" celebration of Nicky USA's 25th Anniversary, Nicky USA, at Jacobsen Salt Co. in Southeast Portland. It was a chance for Nicky USA to say thank you to all those in and out of the culinary community who helped them reach this timely milestone.

Photo by Jordan Fox

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Geoff and Melody

Geoff and Melody Latham at a "happy hour" celebration of Nicky USA's 25th Anniversary, Nicky USA, at Jacobsen Salt Co. in Southeast Portland. It was a chance for Nicky USA to say thank you to all those in and out of the culinary community who helped them reach this timely milestone.

Photo by Jordan Fox

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Bluehour crew

Chef Kyo Koo and his Bluehour crew making elk tartare at a "happy hour" celebration of Nicky USA's 25th Anniversary, Nicky USA, at Jacobsen Salt Co. in Southeast Portland. It was a chance for Nicky USA to say thank you to all those in and out of the culinary community who helped them reach this timely milestone.

Photo by Jordan Fox

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Chefs Paley and Boulot

Chef Vitaly Paley and Philippe Boulot at a "happy hour" celebration of Nicky USA's 25th Anniversary, Nicky USA, at Jacobsen Salt Co. in Southeast Portland. It was a chance for Nicky USA to say thank you to all those in and out of the culinary community who helped them reach this timely milestone.

Photo by Jordan Fox

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Josh and Geoff

Esquire journalist and founder of Meatopia, Josh Ozersky and Geoff Latham at a "happy hour" celebration of Nicky USA's 25th Anniversary, Nicky USA, at Jacobsen Salt Co. in Southeast Portland. It was a chance for Nicky USA to say thank you to all those in and out of the culinary community who helped them reach this timely milestone.

Photo by Jordan Fox

Prev Next

Geoff and Philippe

Geoff Latham and Chef Philippe Boulot at a "happy hour" celebration of Nicky USA's 25th Anniversary, Nicky USA, at Jacobsen Salt Co. in Southeast Portland. It was a chance for Nicky USA to say thank you to all those in and out of the culinary community who helped them reach this timely milestone.

Photo by Jordan Fox