Popular cooking creator Joel Yukich has died unexpectedly at the age of 35 following what has been described as a “medical event.”
The heartbreaking update was shared by one of Yukich’s loved ones on his Facebook page, Blokes Can Cook Too, where he was remembered as the “loudest and brightest light in every room he went into.”
Yukich, a New Zealand father of four, had built an audience of more than 116,000 followers by sharing videos of himself fishing, hunting and preparing meals from some of what he caught.
“Yesterday, we all received the tragic news that Joel had suddenly passed away as a result of a medical event,” the post said.
“The inbox has been overwhelmed with messages of love. Joel was the loudest and brightest light in every room he went into.
“This page gave him an outlet to connect with other like-minded fans and creators, allowing him to forge lifelong friendships through his love of wild kai. To everyone who has messaged, thank you.”
The tribute was written by a friend named Keegan, who said they had known Yukich since childhood, spent much of their teenage years together and later lived together for nearly a year in 2017.
“It was around this time that Joel started floating the idea of starting a page to showcase his hunting, fishing, diving and cooking skills,” Keegan added.
Beloved cooking influencer Joel Yukich has passed away ‘suddenly’ at age 35 after experiencing a ‘medical event’
One of Yukich’s loved ones shared the devastating news via his Facebook page, Blokes Can Cook Too, while describing him as the ‘loudest and brightest light in every room he went into’
‘Not long after I moved out, Joel rang me and asked if I could help him set up the page we’ve all come to love, Blokes Can Cook Too.
‘Joel was the face, and I helped in the background with the tech side of things, and as a sounding board for content ideas, business ideas and any other advice I could give him.’
Yukich’s cause of death has not been officially confirmed.
He was married to a woman named Alanna Hussey, and together, they shared four sons.
In a Facebook post of her own, Hussey shared her heartbreak over losing her husband, admitting that her ‘world had changed forever.’
‘I honestly don’t know how to write this, and I never imagined I would have to,’ she wrote.
‘Last night, my world changed forever. My beautiful partner, Joel, passed away suddenly.
‘I am completely heartbroken and still trying to process that this is real. Joel was everything to us. He was an amazing dad to his four boys, an incredible partner and someone who would do anything for the people he loved.
Yukich, a father-of-four from New Zealand , had amassed over 116,000 followers by documenting himself fishing, hunting and then cooking some of the things he caught
He was married to a woman named Alanna Hussey, and together, they shared four sons
‘He had such a passion for hunting and cooking, and so many of you knew him through Blokes Can Cook Too.
‘He loved sharing his adventures, his recipes, and bringing people together over good food and good stories.’
She added that ‘nothing could have prepared them’ for his passing, and described the ‘silence he left behind’ as ‘unbearable.’
‘Right now, I’m asking that everyone please keep Joel’s boys, our family and everyone who loved him in your thoughts,’ she continued.
‘We appreciate all the love and support, but please understand that we are trying to navigate the hardest time of our lives.
‘Joel, I love you more than words will ever be able to say. Thank you for every memory, every laugh, every hug and every moment we shared. I would give anything to have one more day with you.
‘Until we meet again, my love. You’ll always be in my heart, and I’ll make sure your boys always know how deeply they were loved by their dad. Forever and always.’
