Drew Tursi — a 2005 Staples graduate who was on the fast track in his cooking career in Charleston, South Carolina — died in his sleep Saturday night. He was 30 years old.
His death stunned the tight-knit restaurant community in his adopted home. On Friday night La Farfalle — where Tursi served as sous chef — participated in the 1st-ever Charleston Food & Wine Festival. There was an opening night party, and a visit from Daniel Boulud.
Drew Tursi
The La Farfalle website said that Tursi had worked in restaurants in Pawleys Island and Charleston, before moving to New York and the 1-Michelin star A Voce.
After returning south he satisfied a dream: traveling to Italy. He spent a year there, working half the time at the 2-Michelin star Taverna Estia in Naples. He honed his craft, and immersed himself in Italian language and culture. He returned to Charleston in January
The La Farfalle site added that Tursi loved “being on the boat, Thanksgiving dinner, and watching his brother (Brad) play in his band, Old Dominion.
Le Farfalle will be closed on Thursday (March 9) to host a celebration of Tursi’s life with his friends and family, immediately following a memorial service at Seacoast Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina at 10 a.m.