Chef Ryan Torpey Dies

By OWEN MORRIS

It’s always sad when someone young dies, especially when a person is as talented as Ryan Torpey. Torpey was the head chef of the Brookside restaurant Swizzle until it closed last month and had also worked at Frondizi’s. His body was found on Quandary Peak in Colorado yesterday, a victim of a fall while hiking the 14,000+ foot-high mountain. He had been missing since Wednesday morning.

In March of last year, Charles Ferruzza reviewed Swizzle Bistro and talked of Torpey’s talents calling him a “talented young chef.” Ferruzza’s dining companion refered to the 12-ounce Kansas City strip Torpey prepared as “one of the best steaks I’ve had — ever.”

Torpey was 31. No plans have been announced for his funeral.