Remembering Beloved Bay Area Chef “Big Jim” Modesitt
We lost a giant in the Bay Area food world this past week, Chef Jim Modesitt known as “Big Jim BBQ.” He passed away suddenly on Tuesday of a heart attack, aged 56.
This is a tribute to one of the Bay’s most popular chefs, a friend who featured a few times here on Foodie Chap for KCBS.
Jim: “Hey Food Guy - you have to try my BBQ.”
Liam: “Why?”
Jim: “It’s the best BBQ you will ever taste,” he said with 200% confidence - that was Jim. The confidence of a dozen men.
I tried Jim’s BBQ that day, and indeed, it was the best BBQ I had ever had. I returned for seconds - well seasoned meat, it fell off the bone like butter. Pure, piggy perfection.
That summer day in 2006, while filming KPIX’s Eye on the Bay almost two decades ago was the beginning of a wonderful friendship, a pal I could always count on. Jim had a heart the size of the Golden Gate Bridge. He gave so much of himself in his big, beautiful life cut short too soon. This giving chef supported so many non profits, and I often had the joy of hosting while he cooked:
Beyond Differences
Good Tidings
Marin & SF Food Banks
Marin Foster Youth
That was big-hearted Jim, always giving. Whenever there was a major fire in NorCal Jim would gather his culinary troops and head into the fire zone with food for firefighters and a serving of his big, beaming smile! In 2017 when wine country went up in flames, Jim was there in a flash serving food to firefighters. For our ChefsGiving gala he was among the first chefs to say yes, feeding folks his fine BBQ at the ChefsGiving Ferry Building Gala.
For the big world Chef “Big Jim” created and the big void now left I ask all to cherish and celebrate Jim’s culinary talent, his unwavering community spirit and desire to bring joy through food wherever he went.
Chef Jim is survived by his sons Domonic and Roman, their mom Wendy and his twin sister Tiffany Modesitt Shrock and brother Patrick Modesitt. Rest in power, Jim, and please save a seat for us at the table on the other side.
Here’s an interview for Foodie Chap conducted with Chef Jim and TV Chef Guy Fieri during another fire disaster in 2019.
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