Longtime Valley restaurant consultant Jared Flowers dies at age 45

I’m sad to report the Valley’s food and beverage community has lost another beloved member.

Jared Flowers, a restaurant consultant from Gilbert, unexpectedly died in his sleep Thursday night. He was just 45.

A former chef and general manager, Flowers helped open a long list of restaurants, ranging from local independents to national chains, over the past decade-plus.

I met Jared in 2018 when he was working on Cherish Farm Fresh Eatery in south Chandler. He was a great guy with a big heart, and we shared several passions. including restaurants and dogs.

In fact, Jared and his family adopted one of the dogs I have fostered. That’s Jared and Bodi pictured above.

Jared’s death comes less than a month after another well-known Valley restaurant consultant, Chris ‘‘Oz’’ Osborn, died Dec. 12 at age 46.

My deepest sympathies to Jared’s wife, Michelle; their children, Donovan, Addison, and Samantha; his extended family; and his many friends.