Chef Kevin Gillespie Diagnosed With Renal Cancer

ATLANTA, GA — Kevin Gillespie, who first caught the national eye on "Top Chef" and went on to become arguably Atlanta's most beloved celebrity chef, has been diagnosed with renal cancer.

The 35-year-old Atlanta native will undergo surgery to remove one of his kidneys, his team said in a news release Monday.

"After months of not feeling well, Kevin Gillespie has been diagnosed with a rare form of renal cancer," the statement reads. "In the coming weeks, Kevin will have surgery to remove one of his kidneys. He has surrounded himself with a team of incredible doctors and plans to return to his restaurants as soon as he is able.

"Until then, he is deeply grateful for your support. As he recovers, Kevin requests that he and family are afforded the time and space to fully restore his health."

As recently as Saturday, the burly, red-bearded Gillespie had posted to social media from the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Last week, he posted video of himself looking fit and doing deadlifts in a gym with a trainer.

In 2009, when he was executive chef and co-owner at Atlanta's Woodfire Grill, Gillespie gained a national following when he made a run to the finals on reality contest show "Top Chef." Despite not winning, he was voted that season's "fan favorite" by viewers.

He opened Gunshow in Atlanta in 2013 and a second restaurant, Revival, in Decatur in 2015. (Revival recently garnered lots of support in Patch's poll asking readers where their favorite fried chicken in Atlanta is served.)

Last year he opened Gamechanger at Mercedes Benz Stadium and, most recently, Gillespie announced in March that he was opening Cold Beer, a cocktail lounge and beer garden, in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward along the Atlanta Beltline. It is set to open in 2019.

Kevin Gillespie photos by Angie Mosier, courtesy Melissa Libby & Associates