The culinary world was met with sadness as former MasterChef contestant Matthew Gagnon passed away at the age of 42. Details surrounding his sudden death remain unclear.

Matthew’s passing was announced through an online obituary, stating, “Matthew Raymond Gagnon, 42, of Cromwell, beloved husband of Stephanie Gagnon, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 15, 2025.” He leaves behind his wife, Stephanie, and their two children, Haylee and Mason. His family also included a cherished dog, Niko, who will miss his playful moments and shared meals of turkey bowls and hamburgers.

A GoFundMe page set up in his honor highlighted his character and passions: “Matt Gagnon was a great friend to all who knew him and, even more importantly, a devoted father to his two young children. Though he worked in construction, cooking was where his true passion lay.”

The tribute continued, “Matt had a talent for making people laugh and was always ready with a joke. His presence brought joy and light to any gathering, and he was known for his generosity and kindness. Cooking was not just a hobby for Matt; it was a way to bring loved ones together with his culinary skills and warm spirit.”

The loss of Matthew Gagnon leaves an emptiness in the hearts of those who knew him. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who had the pleasure of experiencing his vibrant personality and culinary talents.

As of Saturday, the fundraising has raised just over $14,000 toward its $20,000 goal, with it stating that the money will go towards funeral costs.

The dad-of-two, who hailed from Cromwell, Connecticut, competed on season 11 of the American version of the BBC cooking show, which aired in 2021.

He cooked for judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez and Joe Bastianich, along with guest judges like Curtis Stone and Paula Deen, while on the show.

The season was subtitled Legends and Matthew was the fourth contestant to leave the competition, being eliminated in sixth place.

A memorial service for Gagnon will be held on Sunday, December 21, in Berlin, Connecticut. The family have asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cromwell Police Department.