Sad news: our Pit friend from the early days, Ernest, passed away...

[Carolyn]

So sad to lose a good person so young in life. I saw his food images a while back when somebody on here asked where was. Those images are an inspiration. 🙏

[Huskee]

You're right. I will try to take a good pic of food when I want to share something, make sure focus and lighting is ok, but I never try to *plate it* with intent like Ernest would do, he was a pro.

[Jim White]

So sorry to see this. I was so intimidated by the quality of his plating and photography that I didn't really interact with him. I also remember that several of us would wait to post on SUWYC after he posted so that our posts wouldn't be close to his. He will be so missed. So much of his cooking was for his children, so this must have been just a huge blow to them.

[Potkettleblack]

That’s a shame. A valued community member and a hell of a food photographer. And a great cook. We’re all poorer for his passing.

[TripleB]

Always sad. RIP.

[Jerod Broussard]

Man that stinks. Dude had some creations!

[Richard Chrz]

This is heartbreaking, I just came on to see if there was a Bones memorial cook lined up again, which I see there is. Then saw Ernest's photo and name, Ernest was pretty incredible. He was humble about his cooking, and generous with his friendship. I always chased his cooks and photos, he and I also both cooked in the America's Fav Chef competition, when he was not voted to the next round, he rallied friends to vote to keep me going in the competition.

[DogFaced PonySoldier]

Ditto that Richard Chrz

[RonB]

Me too.

[Draznnl]

Hello there stranger. Glad you're up and kicking. Hope you're taking care of yourself.

[GolfGeezer]

Very sad. Loved following his posts, and I am totally humbled by his plating pics - in a league of his own.

[troymeister]

Oh geez, he was just 45 or so. He is the one who convinced me to try Sous Vide. He was also the first Pit Member to really take his cooking and food Photography to an amazing artistic level. I had a feeling something happened. I am saddened by his Passing. RIP Ernest.

[hoovarmin]

"He was also the first Pit Member to really take his cooking and food Photography to an amazing artistic level"

Great comment. That is so true. He set the bar high.

[surfdog]

Yeah, as a professional photographer…his work was humbling. I fully admit that he was a superb photographer.
Everything that I shoot/share are simple grab-shots with my phone, without much consideration given to plating, lighting, or aesthetics. A simple snapshot and nothing more.
But he indeed took his photos to a higher level.

[Troutman]

He was one of the best cooks I’ve ever seen, he definitely could put together food as art. Fun fact, the last picture of the steak and eggs he prepared in a hotel room….in a freaking hotel room!!! I’ll miss his nonchalant approach to food, photography and life. Via con Dios Ernest.

[Richard Chrz]

I remember this!

And his nonchalant approach was the best… it often started with…. My kids told me they were hungry for….. and it ended up being the most amazing looking plated and version of the ho hum ingredient, like a simple egg dish. Next level.

[Huskee]

Yeah I couldn't make something that pretty if I planned it all week and woke up early the day of. He just did it as an effortless afterthought it seemed. True talent.

[SheilaAnn]

Richard Chrz right?!? “My kids wanted tater tots” and he made them from scratch. He did a pasta dish with mushrooms and added mushroom powder to the pasta dough. I took notes! (haven’t made it yet….)

[tamidw]

I had wondered where he was for a while. So sad. I loved seeing and looked forward to seeing his food pictures although I never wanted to follow him either. Rest easy, Ernest. 😞

[BourBonQ]

Just saw this sad news. RIP Ernest! Definitely some of the best plates and pics in the pit.

[surfdog]

Pretty much posted above as a comment…but I’ll elaborate.

As a professional photographer…his work was indeed humbling. I fully admit that he was a superb photographer.
He managed to capture not only the finished dish, but make one want to have it. Now. Regardless of whether one was hungry or not. It just looked good.

Everything that I shoot/share are simple grab-shots with my phone, without much consideration given to plating, lighting, or aesthetics. A simple snapshot and nothing more. Part of that is borne out of not wanting to look through a camera any more than necessary. And part of that, admittedly, is laziness.

He indeed took his photos to a higher level.

The personal interactions that we had were nothing but great. He was forthright, honest, and humble to a fault. The world is a sadder place with his passing.

[Lodi,WI Dan]

RIP Ernest, Thanks for sharing your knowledge here.

[Johnny q]

🙏🙏🙏🙏

[Starsky]

I'm sorry to hear this