Chef who cooked for Justin Bieber and George Clooney lifeless at 59 after horror crash
Acclaimed and beloved chef Rainer Schwarz, whose food was enjoyed by stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, has died aged 59
Rainer Schwarz died aged 59 (Image: Instagram/ @chefrainerschwarz)
An acclaimed chef who cooked for numerous celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber has died after a single-vehicle crash. Rainer Schwarz died aged 59 on Monday (April 6) after the car accident in Dana Point, California, USA.
Police reportedly say he was driving his Audi along Crown Valley Parkway near the Pacific Coast Highway shortly before 5pm when the car suddenly left the road, ploughed through a landscaped area and came to a stop in a parking lot. Schwarz was pronounced dead at the scene at around 4.50pm.
Authorities say the cause of the collision is still under investigation, People reported.
In a joint Facebook statement, Driftwood Kitchen and The Deck, the chef’s restaurants, said they were “deeply saddened” by the death of Schwarz. The post read: “More than a remarkable culinary talent, he brought together a rich cultural heritage and world-class experience to create unforgettable dining experiences for all who walked through our doors.”
The post continued: “Chef Rainer’s philosophy centered on simplicity, letting the finest seasonal ingredients speak for themselves, while delivering the precision and excellence that defined his career.” The message added that Schwarz supported local causes, took part in nonprofit events and encouraged collaboration and mentorship within the industry.
He is survived by his wife, Tasha, and their son, Max. The post concluded: “Chef Rainer’s legacy lives on in every dish and every guest experience he shaped.
“He believed deeply in hospitality as a way to bring people together. We are profoundly grateful for his lasting impact and will continue to honor his vision in all we do.”
Schwarz was a reputable Austrian-born chef and restaurateur who became a prominent name on the Southern California dining scene. He was best known for shaping two of Laguna Beach’s most recognisable beachfront venues, Driftwood Kitchen and The Deck, where he was widely regarded as the driving creative force.
Born in Klagenfurt, Austria, Schwarz began his culinary career aged 15 with a four-year apprenticeship at an old Austrian castle that had been converted into a restaurant. He later built experience in five-star hotels and restaurants across Switzerland, Germany and France, refining the style and discipline that would define his cooking.
He moved to the US after a formative meeting in Switzerland. While working at the Grand National Hotel in Lucerne, he met renowned chef Joachim Splichal, a connection that took him to Los Angeles, where he worked in the kitchens at Splichal’s acclaimed restaurants Patina and Pinot.
Schwarz later became a mainstay of the Laguna Beach restaurant world, credited with helping turn Driftwood Kitchen (opened in 2014) and The Deck (2015) into award-winning coastal hotspots.
He also raised his profile in Hollywood as executive chef at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel from 2009, where his food was reportedly enjoyed by many celebrity guests.
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