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Cooking influencer Joel Yukich has died at age 35.
“My name is Keegan, and I’ve known Joel since we were kids,” read a message that was posted via Yukich’s Facebook on Tuesday, June 30. “We spent much of our teen years together, and in 2017, I moved in with Joel, where we lived together for almost a year. It was around this time that Joel started floating the idea of starting a page to showcase his hunting, fishing, diving and cooking skills.”
He continued, “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.”
Keegan wrote that he received “the tragic news” on Monday, June 29, that Yukich had “suddenly passed away as a result of a medical event.”
“The inbox has been overwhelmed with messages of love,” Keegan wrote. “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 message continued, “Joel’s Family has set up a Give A Little page. This money will be used to support Joel’s family through this tough time. If you want to show your support, please feel free to follow the link below and donate.”
Keegan noted that Yukich’s social media pages “will remain open for now” until there’s “a clear picture from his family of what they wish to do.”
“‘Kua hinga te tōtara i te wao nui a Tāne.’ A great tōtara tree has fallen in the forest of Tāne,” Keegan concluded. “Rest in Love Joel.”
Yukich rose to fame online by sharing cooking content with his more than 116,000 followers on Facebook and more than 14,000 followers on Instagram. Yukich’s partner, Alanna Hussey, also paid tribute to the influencer after his death.
“I honestly don’t know how to write this, and I never imagined I would have to,” Hussey wrote via Facebook on Monday. “Last night, my world changed forever. My beautiful partner, Joel, passed away suddenly.”
Hussey continued, “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. He had such a passion for hunting and cooking, and so many of you knew him through blokescancooktoo. He loved sharing his adventures, his recipes, and bringing people together over good food and good stories. Nothing could have prepared us for this. The silence he has left behind is unbearable, and our hearts are broken.”
Hussey asked for Yukich’s “boys, our family, and everyone who loved him” to be kept in her followers’ thoughts.
“We appreciate all the love and support, but please understand that we are trying to navigate the hardest time of our lives,” Hussey wrote. “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.”
Hussey continued, “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. .”
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