‘Chopped Junior’ winner Fuller Goldsmith, who had leukemia five times, dies at 17

Teen chef Fuller Goldsmith, who won “Chopped Junior” before appearing on “Top Chef Junior,” has died of cancer, according to a television production company. He was 17 years old.

“He was an incredible chef and the strongest kid we’ve ever met,” Magical Elves production company said. “From the minute he was introduced to us, we knew he would make an impact on everyone around him and be a positive force in cooking world.”

Fuller was a winner of a 2017 episode of “Chopped Junior,” taking home a $10,000 prize, according to the Tuscaloosa News. He told the publication he would donate some of his money to Fuller’s Fund, which goes to a hematology and oncology branch at the Children’s of Alabama hospital.

He later competed on the popular “Top Chef Junior” show the same year but had to withdraw because of his health, ET Online reported. Fuller had a 13-year battle with cancer, according to ET Online.

Fuller met Guy Fieri in 2018, and the celebrity chef said to “look out” for the youngster, AL.com reported.

“What you’ve already accomplished in your life is amazing,” Fieri said at the time. “You don’t give up. ... You gotta believe, you gotta trust, you gotta go, you gotta fight hard, and it’s not easy.”

In February, Fuller wrote on Instagram he would be beginning a fifth round of treatment against leukemia. While undergoing treatment, he continued to post his culinary creations on his Instagram page.

The teen’s father, Scott Goldsmith, told WIAT his cancer took a turn for the worse this week. He would have been 18 years old Saturday.

“He got tired and was ready to go,” the father told the TV station.

Celebrity chefs and television personalities sent their condolences following Fuller’s death.

“We all loved Fuller so much,” commented Vanessa Lachey, who hosted “Top Chef Junior.” “And will never forget his contagious smile, laugh and butter tricks. Sending so much love to his family. We will never forget you Fuller!”

“We love you Fuller,” added Gail Simmons, a prominent food critic and “Top Chef” judge. “Thank you for spending so much time with us. Your love of cooking was contagious and you taught us so much about courage and determination.”

Kelsey Barnard Clark and Brooke Williamson, both former winners of “Top Chef,” also commented on Fuller’s death.

Fuller worked at the Southern Ale House in Tuscaloosa, where he was a “little brother” to executive chef Brett Garner, according to a Facebook post.

“He spent a lot of time in the SAH kitchen helping prep, serve, and create recipes,” Robert Holt said. “We will miss his presence, his smile, his laugh, his banter back and forth with Brett, and his grit as fought the aches and pains of a terrible disease.”

Garner first met Fuller when he was 10 years old, he told WIAT. At the time, the head chef said the boy was working harder than members of his trained staff.

“He knew just like a lot of chefs do that when you want to cook, your name is your food and he wanted to be remembered for the dishes he created and was a part of,” Garner told the station. “He put everything he had into it.”

This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 7:40 AM with the headline "‘Chopped Junior’ winner Fuller Goldsmith, who had leukemia five times, dies at 17."