Famous Chef James Kent Dies at 45
James Kent, a well-known chef in New York City, died unexpectedly on Saturday at the age of 45.
His restaurant group, Saga Hospitality, shared the sad news on Instagram, stating, “We are heartbroken to share that James Kent passed away unexpectedly earlier today. The Saga Hospitality Group family is focused on supporting each other and most importantly Kelly, Gavin, and Avery as we grieve James’ loss.” In honor of Kent, his restaurants will be closed on Sunday.
The exact cause of James Kent’s death has not been disclosed. His sudden passing has left many in shock, as he was actively involved in expanding his culinary empire and was in the midst of several exciting new projects.
His death has been a significant loss not only to his family and friends but also to the entire culinary community, which he had greatly influenced with his innovative approach to fine dining.
James Kent started his cooking career early. Growing up in Greenwich Village, his mother helped him get an apprenticeship with famous chef David Bouley. This opportunity set him on a path to work in top New York City restaurants like Babbo, Jean-Georges, Eleven Madison Park, and NoMad. His hard work and talent made him an executive chef, known for blending fine dining with a relaxed style.
In 2019, Kent opened Crown Shy in the Financial District at 70 Pine Street. Partnering with Jeff Katz, Kent quickly made Crown Shy a hit with its creative and eclectic menu, earning a Michelin star.
Following this success, he expanded within the same building, opening Saga, a fine dining restaurant, and Overstory, a cocktail bar with stunning views. Saga earned two Michelin stars, highlighting Kent’s skill and creativity.
James Kent was also a talented graffiti artist, a passion he carried from his youth. His artwork was featured in places like the NoMad Hotel. He cared deeply about mental health in the tough restaurant industry and started the Crown Shy Running Club to help his staff stay healthy.
During the pandemic, he helped create ROAR (Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants) to support restaurant workers.
He had many ambitious projects planned. He was working on opening a bakery and casual restaurant in Brooklyn’s Domino Sugar refinery and a new 140-seat restaurant on Park Avenue.
He also planned to start a fast-casual fried chicken sandwich restaurant with support from LeBron James’ LRMR Ventures. Just last week, it was announced that his group would oversee five new restaurants for the Paris-based department store Printemps, set to open in 2025 at One Wall Street.