Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty; Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via GettyPadma Lakshmiis remembering her friendFatima Ali.On Thursday, what would have been Ali’s 30th birthday, Lakshmi shared a sweet video of theTop Chefstar dancing and lip-syncing along to “Colors of the Wind” fromPocahontas.“Happy Birthday Fati- wherever your spirit is I know you’ll be eating something yummy,” Lakshmi, 48 wrote.Alidied at age 29 earlier this year, after she was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. Many of her fans, followers and colleagues also left messages onher personal Instagram accounton Thursday.“Happy birthday Fati, grateful for every day I got to be apart [sic] of it ❤️,” fellowTop Chefstar Joe Flamm wrote, whileTop Chef‘s Melissa King left a row of rainbow heart emojis.“Oh, that Lioness! I miss her roar!” chef Tanya Holland added.“Happy Birthday, beautiful!! Cheers to you on this day and everyday!”Top Chefstar Adrienne Cheatham wrote.On Ali’s birthday,The Samfund— an organization that provides support to young adults who are struggling financially due to cancer —announcedthat they would be renaming one of their awards in honor of the chef.“On what would have been Chef Fatima Ali’s 30th birthday, it’s our privilege to announce that our Annual Celebration’s Award is officially renamed as the Chef Fatima Spirit Award,” an Instagram post from The Samfund read.“She joined us as a featured chef at last year’s celebration and connected immediately to our work and community,” the post continued. “With Fatima and her family in our hearts, it is truly an honor to be able to continue her legacy of compassion and adventure through this award.”Ali was first diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in 2017. She hadundergone surgery to remove a tumorin her shoulder bone and had told PEOPLE she was “technically cancer-free” at theFood & WineClassic in Aspen in July 2018.But in October, throughan emotional essay forBon Appetit,the chef revealed that her cancer was back “with a vengeance,” and that doctors told her she had about a year left to live.Sadly, a representative forBravoconfirmed her death to PEOPLE in January. “We are deeply saddened to share the news that Fatima Ali haslost her courageous battle with cancer,” the statement read.“Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. People not only fell in love with her cooking, butfell in love with her personality and heart. We hope that the beautiful memories shared with her will provide comfort to everyone who knew and loved her.”
Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty; Tommy Garcia/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Padma Lakshmiis remembering her friendFatima Ali.On Thursday, what would have been Ali’s 30th birthday, Lakshmi shared a sweet video of theTop Chefstar dancing and lip-syncing along to “Colors of the Wind” fromPocahontas.“Happy Birthday Fati- wherever your spirit is I know you’ll be eating something yummy,” Lakshmi, 48 wrote.Alidied at age 29 earlier this year, after she was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. Many of her fans, followers and colleagues also left messages onher personal Instagram accounton Thursday.“Happy birthday Fati, grateful for every day I got to be apart [sic] of it ❤️,” fellowTop Chefstar Joe Flamm wrote, whileTop Chef‘s Melissa King left a row of rainbow heart emojis.“Oh, that Lioness! I miss her roar!” chef Tanya Holland added.“Happy Birthday, beautiful!! Cheers to you on this day and everyday!”Top Chefstar Adrienne Cheatham wrote.On Ali’s birthday,The Samfund— an organization that provides support to young adults who are struggling financially due to cancer —announcedthat they would be renaming one of their awards in honor of the chef.“On what would have been Chef Fatima Ali’s 30th birthday, it’s our privilege to announce that our Annual Celebration’s Award is officially renamed as the Chef Fatima Spirit Award,” an Instagram post from The Samfund read.“She joined us as a featured chef at last year’s celebration and connected immediately to our work and community,” the post continued. “With Fatima and her family in our hearts, it is truly an honor to be able to continue her legacy of compassion and adventure through this award.”Ali was first diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in 2017. She hadundergone surgery to remove a tumorin her shoulder bone and had told PEOPLE she was “technically cancer-free” at theFood & WineClassic in Aspen in July 2018.But in October, throughan emotional essay forBon Appetit,the chef revealed that her cancer was back “with a vengeance,” and that doctors told her she had about a year left to live.Sadly, a representative forBravoconfirmed her death to PEOPLE in January. “We are deeply saddened to share the news that Fatima Ali haslost her courageous battle with cancer,” the statement read.“Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. People not only fell in love with her cooking, butfell in love with her personality and heart. We hope that the beautiful memories shared with her will provide comfort to everyone who knew and loved her.”
Padma Lakshmiis remembering her friendFatima Ali.
On Thursday, what would have been Ali’s 30th birthday, Lakshmi shared a sweet video of theTop Chefstar dancing and lip-syncing along to “Colors of the Wind” fromPocahontas.
“Happy Birthday Fati- wherever your spirit is I know you’ll be eating something yummy,” Lakshmi, 48 wrote.
Alidied at age 29 earlier this year, after she was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. Many of her fans, followers and colleagues also left messages onher personal Instagram accounton Thursday.
“Happy birthday Fati, grateful for every day I got to be apart [sic] of it ❤️,” fellowTop Chefstar Joe Flamm wrote, whileTop Chef‘s Melissa King left a row of rainbow heart emojis.
“Oh, that Lioness! I miss her roar!” chef Tanya Holland added.
“Happy Birthday, beautiful!! Cheers to you on this day and everyday!”Top Chefstar Adrienne Cheatham wrote.
On Ali’s birthday,The Samfund— an organization that provides support to young adults who are struggling financially due to cancer —announcedthat they would be renaming one of their awards in honor of the chef.
“On what would have been Chef Fatima Ali’s 30th birthday, it’s our privilege to announce that our Annual Celebration’s Award is officially renamed as the Chef Fatima Spirit Award,” an Instagram post from The Samfund read.
“She joined us as a featured chef at last year’s celebration and connected immediately to our work and community,” the post continued. “With Fatima and her family in our hearts, it is truly an honor to be able to continue her legacy of compassion and adventure through this award.”
Ali was first diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, in 2017. She hadundergone surgery to remove a tumorin her shoulder bone and had told PEOPLE she was “technically cancer-free” at theFood & WineClassic in Aspen in July 2018.
But in October, throughan emotional essay forBon Appetit,the chef revealed that her cancer was back “with a vengeance,” and that doctors told her she had about a year left to live.
Sadly, a representative forBravoconfirmed her death to PEOPLE in January. “We are deeply saddened to share the news that Fatima Ali haslost her courageous battle with cancer,” the statement read.
“Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. People not only fell in love with her cooking, butfell in love with her personality and heart. We hope that the beautiful memories shared with her will provide comfort to everyone who knew and loved her.”
source: people.com
