April 24, 2017
Greg Gayne/Fox
Former 'Hell’s Kitchen' contestant Paulie Giganti was found dead from an accidental drug intoxication.
Former "Hell's Kitchen" contestant and Philadelphia chef Paulie Giganti was found dead of accidental drug intoxication in his home on Thursday, Philly.com reported.
The 36-year-old most recently worked in the kitchen at Birra on East Passyunk Avenue for several years after appearing on season 16 of the FOX reality cooking competition.
Birra owner Gordan Dinerman told Philly.com the two had "a mutual parting of the ways" in November and added that Giganti was "talented but sometimes troubled."
Giganti, who was originally from Brooklyn, New York, reportedly also got into some heated disputes with "Hell's Kitchen" TV host and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay while on the show.
A spokesman with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health confirmed to Philly.com that Giganti's death was ruled an accidental death by drug intoxication but did not say what type of drug was involved or whether it was a prescription.
Read more at Philly.com.
