A beloved food influencer who celebrated American BBQ traditions and built a massive following sharing family recipes has died tragically, leaving behind a grieving wife and young daughter just days after celebrating his wedding anniversary.
Story Summary
- Michael Duarte, a 36-year-old food influencer with 2+ million followers, died in a “horrible accident” while traveling in Texas.
- The tragedy occurred just three days after he celebrated his ninth wedding anniversary with his wife, Jessica.
- Duarte leaves behind his wife and 6-year-old daughter, Oakley, with the family facing unexpected funeral expenses.
- Known as “FoodWithBearHands,” he championed traditional American BBQ and grilling across multiple social platforms.
Tragic Loss of Family Man and Content Creator
Michael Duarte, the popular food influencer behind “FoodWithBearHands,” died in what his loved ones described as a “horrible accident” during a family trip to Texas. The 36-year-old California native had built an impressive social media presence with over 2 million followers who appreciated his authentic approach to BBQ and grilling content.
His talent agency, Alooma Media Group, announced his passing on Instagram, describing him as a “true & loyal partner” whose creativity left lasting impressions on everyone he worked with.
Food influencer Michael Duarte dies in ‘horrible accident’ on Texas trip days after wedding anniversary https://t.co/3ppuj9WF1B pic.twitter.com/ZbDzDDkO9q
— New York Post (@nypost) November 12, 2025
American BBQ Champion with Deep Roots
Growing up in Calipatria, California, near the Mexican border, Duarte developed a passion for traditional American BBQ and grilling that resonated with millions of followers across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
His content celebrated the kind of authentic, family-centered cooking traditions that conservatives value—showcasing skills passed down through generations and bringing families together around the dinner table. Duarte’s approach emphasized hard work, traditional cooking methods, and the simple pleasure of sharing good food with loved ones, values that struck a chord with his diverse audience.
Family Left Facing Unexpected Hardship
The timing of this tragedy adds another layer of heartbreak – Duarte and his wife Jessica had just celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary three days before his death.
Now Jessica faces the overwhelming burden of bringing her husband’s body back to California and covering funeral expenses while caring for their 6-year-old daughter, Oakley. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help the family during this difficult time, with organizers asking for prayers and financial support to cover the unexpected costs that have fallen on Jessica.
Community Rallies for Grieving Family
The response to Duarte’s death highlights the strong sense of community that social media can foster when used positively. His followers, many of whom felt a personal connection to his family-focused content, are stepping up to support Jessica and Oakley during their darkest hour.
This outpouring of support demonstrates the genuine relationships Duarte built through his authentic content, proving that social media can be a force for good when creators focus on traditional values like family, hard work, and bringing people together rather than divisive political content.
