Food influencer Michael Duarte, known for his playful barbecue videos and heartfelt family posts, has died at 33 following what his representatives called a “horrible accident” in Texas.
Duarte’s death was announced on Nov. 9 by his management firm, Alooma Media Group, in an emotional statement on Instagram. “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our valued client and dear friend, Michael Duarte,” the agency wrote. “He was a true & loyal partner, a trusted collaborator, and above all, a remarkable person. His passion, professionalism, and creativity left a lasting mark not only on our team but on everyone who had the privilege of working with him.”
The California-based content creator, who posted under the handle @foodwithbearhands, had amassed a combined following of over two million fans across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. His videos—usually featuring backyard grilling or inventive family recipes—earned him a devoted audience during the pandemic, turning a personal pastime into a thriving brand. Duarte’s Instagram bio read simply: “My purpose is to share with the world food to people who need it the most.”
According to a verified GoFundMe campaign launched to help his family and cover funeral expenses, Duarte died “in a horrible accident” while traveling through Texas. The fundraiser stated that the tragedy “came without warning,” leaving his wife, Jessica, to bring his body home to California. “We ask that you lift Michael’s family up in prayer during this extremely difficult time,” the page reads, adding that donations will also assist Jessica and the couple’s six-year-old daughter, Oakley. As of Monday, the campaign had raised over $60,000 from supporters worldwide.
Duarte grew up in Calipatria, a small farming community near the U.S.-Mexico border. In earlier interviews, he credited his uncle, who owned a Mexican restaurant, with teaching him how to cook at the age of 14. That early kitchen job, Duarte once said, taught him both discipline and creativity. “My uncle was my mentor,” he wrote in a 2022 Instagram post. “He showed me what hard work and heart can do in a kitchen.”
Before his social media success, Duarte worked in several restaurants in the San Diego area. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he left the industry and began sharing cooking clips from home while he was recovering from what he called a “mental health crisis.” In a later post, Duarte revealed that he spent time in rehab and rediscovered his love for cooking through content creation. “My first was with my daughter,” he recalled. “That’s when I realized how happy creating content made me. Over time, I began to see it wasn’t just a hobby — it could be a business, something bigger than myself.”
The impact Duarte made extended beyond the screen. Friends and colleagues say that Duarte’s warmth and authenticity resonated as much as his recipes. “He made you feel like you were standing next to him by the grill,” said longtime collaborator and fellow influencer Jose Gonzalez, who worked with Duarte on several charity cookouts. “He wasn’t just showing food—he was showing love.”
Alooma’s tribute described Duarte as “a devoted husband to his wife Jessica, a loving father to his daughter, brother, and a loyal friend to many.” The agency added that “his warmth, kindness, and generosity were felt in every interaction.”
Fans from around the world have filled Duarte’s comment sections with condolences and memories, many sharing that his cooking inspired them to reconnect with their own families during lockdowns. “You taught me to slow down and make dinner with my kids,” one user wrote beneath his final video. “That’s something I’ll never forget.”
While the exact circumstances of the accident remain unclear, DuWhile the exact circumstances of the accident have not been disclosed and remain unclear, Duarte’s death has stirred a wave of reflection among creators who saw him as a model of purpose-driven content. His story—from a Calipatria kitchen to a digital stage with millions of viewers—embodied a generation of influencers who turned authenticity into art. Home, tributes continue to pour in. For many fans, Duarte’s legacy endures in the countless meals he inspired. “He showed us that sharing food is really about sharing love,” Alooma Media Group said.
