Nathan Fong

Fong suffered from diabetes and struggled to control it. He would often stop eating when he was feeling depressed, something he experienced with in the weeks prior to his death. In 2020, he and Chicoine separated, but remained married. He also saw business plummet due to the cancelation of events in the wake of COVID-19 shelter in place orders. He visited Scottsdale, Arizona before travel bans and shelter-in-place went into effect and returned to Vancouver where he quarantined at his home.

The last week of March 2020, Fong fainted and fell, hitting his head. Fong was found dead, on March 30, at his home in Vancouver by Chicoine. He died of a suspected heart attack.

Since 2012, Fong served as chef for the British Columbian government. He represented the province at tourism events, trade shows, international events and diplomatic receptions. He appeared regularly on the Today show during the show's 2010 Winter Olympics programming, showcasing British Columbian cuisine and food culture. In 2016, he participated in a reception for the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Fong persuaded Catherine to taste raw geoduck, while Prince William declined. That same year, he married his partner Michel Chicoine on January 16.

Fong was HIV positive, which inspired him to become involved in HIV fundraising and pro-LGBTQ causes. In 2002, Fong created the Passions Gala, an annual wine and food event that benefited the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. As of 2019, the event has raised over $1.6 million for the Foundation. He was nominated for the Gemini Humanitarian Award in 2006 for his work with the Dr. Peter Centre. In 2006, he was awarded the BCPWA/Positive Living Society’s AccolAIDS Philanthropy Award.

Fong started a catering company after graduating from Dubrulle. He transitioned into food styling soon thereafter. He styled food for photo shoots and commercials, including for McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Samsung, A&W, and White Spot. In 1998, Fong won the first International Association of Culinary Professionals Julia Child Award of Excellence for food styling. He won the Food Network Challenge's Superstar Foodstylist Competition in 2009.

Nathan Mark Fong (March 16, 1959 – March 30, 2020) was a Canadian chef, food stylist, media personality and activist. Upon Fong's death, chef Quang Dang called him "food royalty."

Nathan Mark Fong was born in West Vancouver on March 16, 1959. His parents were Edna and Robert Fong. He had four siblings and was the oldest. The Fong's owned an IGA grocery store in the Dundarave neighborhood of West Vancouver. When he was a teenager, Fong worked at the grocery store as a stocker.