On September 21, 2019, the culinary world lost one of its brightest personalities when Chef Carl Ruiz — known affectionately as “The Cuban” on Guy’s Grocery Games — died suddenly at just 44 years old. Six years later, his close friend Guy Fieri marked the anniversary with a moving Instagram tribute that had fans and friends laughing through the tears.
Fieri wrote, “I miss you so much, my brother Chef Carl. You cooked, You laughed, You lit up the world, You are one of a kind. RIP the CUBAN #6thAnniversary.”
Alongside the heartfelt caption, Fieri shared two photos. The first shows Ruiz in one of his signature looks: a wild fur coat, a trucker hat, and a cigarette hanging from his mouth. In the second, Fieri strikes the exact same pose — same outstretched arms, his own trucker hat, but this time with a cigar — wearing what appears to be Ruiz’s actual fur coat.
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The post quickly lit up the comments section. Chef Eric Greenspan, another Guy’s Grocery Games regular, cracked: “Oh s**t. You have the coat?” Fans loved the revelation that Fieri has kept the statement piece alive as a way of honoring his late friend.
Tributes poured in from across the food world:
Food writer and Food Network personality Simon Majumdar wrote, “He was, from the get-go, a superstar, a man with the most unassailable sense of fun and humor and a man of great loyalty. I only wish I had time to know him better.”
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Friend Rutledge Wood wrote, “He was one in a million ❤️❤️ miss him tons,” while Food Network Star and Guy’s Grocery Games contestant Martie Duncan wrote, “Broke the mold. ❤️.”
A fan added, “It’s so lovely that you celebrate him every year. ❤️.”
Ruiz, who rose to Food Network fame after Fieri featured his Italian deli Marie’s Italian Specialties on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, became a fan-favorite judge and competitor on Guy’s Grocery Games. His sharp wit, big laugh, and larger-than-life style made him unforgettable, especially when Fieri tricked him into judging the spicy foods episodes.
Earlier this year, on what would have been Ruiz’s 50th birthday, Fieri also shared a tribute: “Happy 50th birthday to my brother/friend/chef Carl ‘The Cuban’ Ruiz. Miss you, my brutha RIP.”
Fans say Fieri’s annual remembrances — especially this year’s surprise coat reveal — are proof that Chef Carl’s spirit is still very much alive in the Food Network family.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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