Key Takeaways
- The actual cause of the demise of beloved Pennsylvania chef Michael Papandrea is not yet available.
- He was famous for Mozzarella Di Michael, a business that organized fresh mozzarella-making parties.
- He was born to his father, Giovanni, and his mother, Melina Papandrea, and he has a twin brother and a sister.
Michael Papandrea, a famous chef and local businessman from Pennsylvania, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
While the exact details of the cause of his d*ath are not yet available, some reports indicate that Michael Papandrea passed away unexpectedly in his sleep.
Michael Papandrea, also known as ‘Mozzarella Di Michael,’ was famous for his amazing fresh mozzarella-making parties.
Moreover, Michael Papandrea also showcased his exceptional culinary skills working as a long-time chef in 3rd & Ferry Fish Market, a seafood restaurant in Easton, PA.
3rd & Ferry Fish Market took to its official Facebook page to announce the demise of its beloved chef, Michael Papandrea, and express its heartfelt condolences to his family.
The post reads:
“Our restaurant family is heartbroken today as we learned of the sudden passing in his sleep of former longtime employee and local businessman, Michael Papandrea, otherwise known as Mozzarella di Michael for his amazing fresh mozzarella-making parties. Michael’s heart and personality were both bigger than we can quantify, and his absence will leave a void in our worlds. He was especially close with many of our staff members and his family is a friend of ours, as well. Our hearts go out to all who knew him, because to know him was to love him.”
3rd & Ferry Fish Market
Furthermore,the late Michael’s family has announced that if someone has a mozzarella party booked with him, they can reach out to the family via email
They also ask for your patience as they navigate their grief and work on returning the deposits.
The whole culinary community mourns the untimely demise of their beloved chef and sends their heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Michael Papandrea Is Survived By His Parents, Siblings, And Entire Family
Left to cherish Michael Papandrea’s life are his parents, Giovanni and Melina Papandrea, twin brother, sister-in-law Jennifer Colucci Papandrea, sister Lisa, and several nephews.
Michael Papandrea was not just an amazing chef but also a devoted son to his parents, loving brother to his siblings, and a great uncle to his nephews.
His social media is filled with pictures of his family, especially his nephews, whom he loves wholeheartedly.
Furthermore, the late Michael Papandrea was born into a chef’s family, following in the footsteps of his father and grandparents in the culinary field.
His parents, immigrants from Calabria, Italy, Sicily, and Belgium, raised Michael and his siblings in New York.
For most of his years, his family lived in Orange County, New York, where his father, Giovanni, opened his 3rd Italina Pork store in Middletown.
Moreover, Michael learned to cook from a very young age by watching his parents and grandparents in the kitchen.
He never joined a culinary school, but his passion for making mozzarella and cooking made him one of the most renowned chefs in the town.
Likewise, when his father decided to close the store and retire after 50 years of serving as a chef, Michael decided to move to Easton and began his journey working at 3rd & Ferry Fish Market.
A year later, Michael started his famous mozzarella-making business, Mozzarella Di Michael, to keep his father’s legacy alive.
Michael Papandrea’s legacy in the culinary world and his community will always be remembered by the millions he inspired.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- The late Michael Papandrea’s mother, Melina, took to her social media to express her sorrow at losing her son with a heartfelt caption: “Don’t know how I’m going to live without you.“
- His family has yet to reveal the details of Michael’s funeral and memorial service.
