Food content Creator Michael Duarte, known as ‘FoodWithBearHands,’ Dies at 35
Michael Duarte, the creator behind the popular food-focused social media account ”FoodWithBearHands,” died November 8 while traveling in Texas with his wife, Jessica, and their six-year-old daughter, Oakley. He was 35 years old. The incident has been described as a “horrible accident” by friends who launched a GoFundMe to support his wife with the costs of returning his remains to California and covering funeral expenses.
Duarte gained a critically important following for his engaging food videos, frequently enough emphasizing sharing meals with those in need and frequently featuring his daughter, Oakley.He built his content career during the pandemic after years working in restaurant kitchens and a period of personal struggle.
Originally from Calipatria, California, Duarte began cooking at age 14 at his uncle’s Mexican restaurant. He later honed his skills in several San Diego kitchens before transitioning to full-time content creation. In a previous Instagram post, Duarte revealed he left restaurant work during a “mental health crisis,” sought treatment in rehab, and ultimately discovered a renewed sense of purpose through making food videos. “That’s when I realized how happy creating content made me,” he wrote. “It wasn’t just a hobby, it could be a business, something bigger than myself.”
The GoFundMe campaign seeks to help Jessica Duarte navigate this difficult time and bring her husband home. As of November 11, the campaign has garnered significant support from his online community.
