Bernard Kaufman

Bernard Kaufman, born February 10, 1964, passed away peacefully in his home. He leaves behind his family, friends, and loved ones who will forever miss his unmistakable presence, infectious laughter, and a bruschetta recipe that no one could quite replicate.

Bernard was a chef by trade, but cooking was much more than a profession—it was one of the ways he showed love. Few things brought him more joy than watching the people around him enjoy a meal he had prepared. Food was his love language. Whether it was a pot of his famous potato leek soup when someone wasn't feeling well, Bananas Foster when life called for something sweet, or a meal shared around a crowded table, Bernard found ways to care for others through his cooking. He believed good food brought people together and took pride in creating moments that would be remembered long after the plates were cleared.

Bernard was the life of the party; he never met a stranger, had a gift for making people laugh, telling a good story, and bringing people together. If you knew Bernard, chances are you heard him before you saw him. Whether he was coaching his daughters' softball from the sidelines, cheering from the stands, or laughing with friends, his voice carried. He had a larger-than-life personality that filled every room he entered and left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Though his voice is now silent, its echo remains in the stories he retold around kitchen tables and in the cheers from the sidelines. Bernard lived loudly, loved deeply, and would tell you that his daughters, Miranda and Samantha, were his greatest accomplishment and the source of his greatest pride. One of Bernard's favorite sayings was “Is the juice worth the squeeze,” and he approached life with the humor and perspective that question embodied. He would be devastated to know people were gathering without him, and even more devastated if they weren't telling stories, laughing loudly, and raising a glass in his honor. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

Bernard is survived by his longtime partner, Jodie Fels; his mother, Micheline (Barthe) Ceotto; his brother, Daniel Kaufman; his nephew, Jean-Claude (JC) Kaufman; his daughters, Miranda Taylor and Samantha Kaufman; and his cherished granddaughter, Aspen Taylor. He was preceded in death by his father, Jacques Kaufman, whom he loved dearly.