Discovering the Life and Career of Carl Ruiz
James White
Published May 07, 2026
Carl Ruiz’s life, career details, and other updates.
Carl Ruiz was a prominent American celebrity chef, renowned restaurant owner, and a familiar face on television. His notable role as a judge on popular cooking competitions like Food Network and Guy’s Grocery Games earned him significant recognition. Unfortunately, he passed away at the age of 44 due to cardiovascular disease.
Carl Ruiz’s Net Worth and Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Carl Ruiz |
|---|---|
| Born Date: | 4 April 1975 |
| Death day: | 21 September 2019 |
| Birth place: | Passaic, New Jersey, |
| Zodiac Sign: | Aries |
| Gender: | Male |
| Profession: | Celebrity chef, Television personality |
| Country: | USA |
| Height: | 5 feet 9 inches (1.75m) |
| Weight: | 70 kg |
| Marital Status: | Divorce |
| Divorce | Marie Riccio |
| Father’s Name: | Yezzid Ruiz |
| Mother’s Name: | Elisa Ruiz |
| Sibling: | George Ruiz |
| Net Worth | $3 million |
Carl Ruiz’s Net Worth
Throughout his career, Carl Ruiz amassed a substantial fortune, with his net worth estimated at $3 million.
Carl Ruiz’s Biography
This renowned chef was born in Passaic, New Jersey. He was an Aries and held American heritage. His father, Yezzid Ruiz, was Colombian, and his mother, Elisa Ruiz, hailed from Cuba. Carl’s culinary passion was inherited from his mother, whom he would watch cook. He also drew inspiration from his mother and grandmother’s culinary skills, as stated by his brother, George Ruiz.
Carl Ruiz completed his secondary education at Collegiate School and pursued his culinary journey at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.
Carl Ruiz’s Age, Height, and Weight
Born on April 4, 1975, Carl Ruiz stood at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75m) and weighed 70 kg at the time of his passing at the age of 44 on September 21, 2019.
Carl Ruiz’s Career
Carl Ruiz, an esteemed figure in the culinary world, began his career as a sous chef at Dish in Clifton, New Jersey. His culinary journey continued as he served as the executive chef at Sabor in North Bergen, New Jersey. His expertise led him to the position of consulting chef for the relaunch of Stephen’s Cafe in North Bergen. Notably, he also excelled as an executive chef at Son Cubano and a senior chef at Brick Oven in Morristown, New Jersey.
In addition, Carl Ruiz ventured into entrepreneurship as he, alongside his ex-wife, Marie Riccio, established Marie’s Italian Specialties, an Italian deli and cafe, in New Jersey. His culinary prowess and friendship with Guy Fieri led to the feature of their restaurant on the iconic food network television show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. His appearances extended to guest judging on various shows hosted by Guy Fieri, notably Guy’s Grocery Games and Guy’s Ranch Kitchen.
In June 2019, he further expanded his culinary footprint with the launch of La Cubana, a restaurant in the Meatpacking District of New York City, specializing in authentic Cuban cuisine. Carl Ruiz achieved noteworthy acclaim as a judge on Guy’s Grocery Games and emerged as a successful contestant in several culinary events, amassing considerable accolades.
