March 23, 2015

Alma de Cuba chef Scott McLeod dies during dinner service

By Daniel Craig
PhillyVoice Staff

Ardmore Toyota/Youtube

Scott McLeod (center) with WMGK host John DeBella (L) and Hope Cohen (R) at the 2014 John DeBella Comfort Food Festival.

Scott McLeod, a chef at popular restaurant Alma de Cuba, was pronounced dead at a hospital Sunday night, according to Philly.com. McLeod was found unresponsive in one of the restrooms of the Stephen Starr restaurant located near Rittenhouse Square during dinner hours.

McLeod's cause of death is not yet known. He previously worked at several Philadelphia establishments including Cubra Libre and Bridget Foy's. McLeod won the top prize at the 2014 "John DeBella Comfort Food Festival" hosted by local radio station WMGK while still working at Cuba Libre.

Jennifer Choplin, a chef at South Bowl Philly, expressed her condolences on twitter:

My thoughts go out to the family and colleagues of Alma de Cuba chef Scott McLeod. Very sad news for the Philadelphia food community. 😞
— Jennifer Choplin (@JenniferChoplin) March 23, 2015