Roger Duarte, the Miami food entrepreneur behind George Stone Crab and My Ceviche, was among seven people killed in a helicopter crash in Kenya on August 19. Duarte was 42. The crash happened near Mount Ololokwe in Samburu County, northern Kenya, at about 9:13 a.m. local time, according to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
Five Americans were among those killed. The helicopter was carrying guests of luxury safari company &Beyond when it crashed while flying toward the Ewaso Nyiro River. Kenya’s Air Accident Investigation Department is investigating the cause of the crash, which remains unknown.
There were no survivors. Duarte was one of seven people aboard a Eurocopter EC130 B4 that crashed near Mount Ololokwe on August 19.
The KCAA said the helicopter had been travelling from the Loisaba area toward the Ewaso Nyiro River when the accident happened.
Roger Duarte’s family and Miami restaurant community
Duarte was closely connected to Miami’s restaurant community. His family also has deep roots in the city’s food business. His wife, Nicole Valls Duarte, is part of the Valls family, which owns the well-known Versailles and La Carreta restaurant businesses. “The Duarte and Valls families are devastated and heartbroken by the tragic helicopter accident in Kenya that claimed the lives of our beloved Roger Edward Duarte, our dear friends Jose Suarez, Adam Hlavaty, Henry Parra, Michele Sensi-Contugi, and Stephany Hollihan Yeaza, as well as Josh Outram, the helicopter’s pilot. Friends and people from Miami’s business and food communities also shared tributes. The Kenya crash investigation is still underway.
Lee Schrager of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival said he had known Duarte for more than 12 years and remembered his work, ethics and love for his family. Roger Duarte’s death at 42 leaves behind a business legacy built around Florida seafood, Miami restaurants and hospitality.
