Obituary, Daniel Patrick Eardley

Brooklyn – May 20, 1971-July 22, 2018. Daniel Eardley passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2018, due to an undetected heart condition. The son of an electrical engineer and a social worker, Daniel was raised on a small family farm in Stanfordville, New York, that included chickens and horses, but also a medley of fresh vegetables. It was there he first found his appreciation for locally grown food and developed a passion for cooking. His first job was as a dishwasher at The Stage Stop Restaurant in his hometown. The owner was a classically-trained German chef, and Daniel worked his way up the ranks of the kitchen in what amounted to an apprenticeship.

Daniel attended Pine Plains Central High School and Millbrook School, then went on to graduate with honors from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, in 1996. After graduation, his first restaurant job was at Michael Chiarello’s Tra Vigne in Napa Valley. From there, he traveled throughout the valley and San Francisco, often working for free in order to learn as much as he could about the industry. Eventually, Daniel returned to New York and worked for Larry Forgione at American Place, and with mentor Jonathan Waxman to open Washington Park as Executive Chef. When Washington Park closed, Daniel landed at Chestnut, in Brooklyn, as Chef and part owner.

Daniel was able to let his appreciation for sustainable agriculture shine at the farm-to-table restaurant Chestnut. You could often find Daniel in his native Dutchess County foraging himself for indigenous ingredients, including mushrooms, wild nettles and ramps, filling the car with all it could carry for the restaurant. Chestnut quickly became a staple of the Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn neighborhood and soon even received a recommendation in the New York Michelin Guide. Daniel more than once said that he wanted diners at Chestnut to feel like they’re going to their grandmother’s house for dinner — their grandmother who is also a kick-ass cook. Most recently, he had reunited with the Forgione family at American Cut.

When not cooking, you could find Daniel on the slopes of Windham Ski Resort, racing Alpine snowboards. In fact, in his younger days, he toyed with the idea of trying to make a career out it. Luckily for those who had a chance to enjoy his food, he chose a different a path. But still he loved going down downhill as fast as he could every winter. Whether taking sailing lessons in New York Harbor, surfing in Indonesia or flying down a mountain, Daniel had an adventuresome spirit that took him to 45 of the 50 states and beyond, where he delighted in meeting new people and breaking down language barriers. The world is a poorer place without his smile, his compassion, as well as his passion. He is survived by his mother, Mary Ellen Eardley of Saugerties, New York, and sister, Rachel Rowan, of Fairfield, Connecticut and his partner Angela Rogan of Brooklyn, New York, and is greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

Daniel was generous and patient and demanding of those who worked under him. He was never jealous with his recipes or techniques, and prided himself on sending chefs out into the world better than when they came to him. But there was one recipe that he refused to share with anybody and always said he would take to his grave: a chocolate budino that would knock your socks off. True to his word, we are all going to have to wait a little longer to get another taste.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday November 3, 2018 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills in Kingston, NY from 3:30-5:30. Memorial donations may be made in Daniel’s name to City Harvest (www.cityharvest.org).

Author: Harlem Valley News