The Devastating Story Of Anthony Sedlak's 2012 Death

Anthony Sedlak, the heartthrob of the Canadian cooking scene, has left us too soon. Sedlak was a star of amplifying brilliance, whose talent in the culinary field showed its spark for the first time during his school years. By 23, he had competed in the World Junior Chef Challenge in New Zealand and then in Food Network Canada's "Super Star Challenge." At this point, it was clear he was gifted in the culinary sphere, as he was offered his own show — which was known as "The Main" — soon after, per National Post, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

He would go on to become the executive chef at Corner Suite Bistro Deluxe in Vancouver in 2010 (per Vancouver Sun), but left soon after. In 2012, he co-opened The American Cheesesteak Co. in Burnaby.

He had a burgeoning professional and celebrity portfolio, but he was still very much a normal human being, as noted by his social media profiles. An example of this was on September 22, 2011, when the chef portrayed the image of a proud uncle gloating over his newly born niece (per Facebook). It was barely a year later when the chef was found dead in his Vancouver home, per CBC.

Four days after chef Anthony Sedlak was found dead on July 5, 2012, producer Anna Wallner tweeted that the chef "seemed so full of life." Sedlak's death came as a blow for Wallner and many others who enjoyed his shows and appearances. "Watching a rerun of the [You Gotta Eat Here] with Anthony Sedlak, the world certainly lost one great chef with one great smile," a viewer wrote (per Twitter).

Initially, his family attributed it to an unknown health issue (per National Post), before it was later reported by the British Columbia coroner that Sedlak's death was by suicide (per CBC). One of his last projects involved rejuvenating the menus for restaurants and room service at the Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites, according to CBC. "He was like a brother and I'd give him a hard time but he loved it. He was such a rising star," Trish Magwood, who was a judge with Sedlak on the show "Family Cook Off," told the National Post. John Richie, who produced the show Sedlak and Magwood co-judge, remembered the rising star as "an absolute pleasure to work with and I'm so, so sorry he's gone" (via Vancouver Sun).

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.