(Portland, OR) -- Celebrated Portland chef Justin Woodward, best known for leading the kitchen at the acclaimed restaurant Castagna, has died at the age of 43. Woodward, who passed away October 2 in San Diego, earned multiple James Beard Award nominations and was praised for bringing Michelin-level cuisine to Portland. He became executive chef at Castagna in 2011 and later led its sister restaurant, OK Omens, until 2024. Colleagues described him as a devoted and innovative artist who gave everything to his craft.