Culinary Director at the Branded restaurant, Big Daddy Michael Siry has passed away

Michael Siry is a Culinary Director at the Branded restaurants Big Daddy, City Crab and Dukes, NYC, Chef Michael Siry died On Sunday, June 23, 2013.

According to Big Daddy Restaurants states:

“Today we mourn the death and celebrate the life of our friend and Corporate Executive Chef Michael “Sheffy” Siry. Sheffy has been a member of Branded Restaurants for 20 years, and it was his pleasure to serve you.

He brought lots of laughter, joy and delicious food to all of our lives. Please feel free to share any stories you may have here.”

Chef Michael Siry of program restaurants City Crab, Duke’s and Big Daddy’s was a “Chopped” champion.

In an exclusive tribute shared by Sheffyfund states:

We lost an extremely talented chef and a wonderful caring individual.
Michael “Sheffy” Siryious Siry touched all of our lives in so many ways with his love of cooking, his culinary expertise, and his contagious smile. Michael’s love of life, infectious laugh and love of people will be sorely missed by many and will always have my heart, my admiration, and my life.

In memory of my husband’s life, his love and his accomplishments, I am establishing a memorial scholarship fund in his name at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York. The same culinary institute that helped contribute to my husband’s success in the industry.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute, Michael went on to become a great executive chef, a Food Network Chopped Champion, a Wing Champion, Grey Poupon Chef of the year. Often he would be on TV concocting a gastro caloric delight.

Michael approached his life with the discipline of an Ironman® triathlete. This is because he was one. Whether it was running a marathon or running popular concept restaurants, the Englewood, New Jersey, native gave 110% to whatever he did, and it showed in his masterful layering of fresh, flavorful ingredients. Michael would explain to anyone that, “Cooking is art—it’s part of expressing yourself, it’s something that you love to do, love to give and love to share.”

Michael always wanted to share his love of cooking, love of life and was always willing to assist anyone who wanted an opportunity.

The MICHAEL “SHEFFY” SIRY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION is an annual scholarship, which will be awarded to those who love cooking, life and people as much as he did.