Nathan Blaine Gile

Nathan Blaine Gile (Chef Nick), 51, of New Orleans, passed away peacefully in his Mississippi River Levee home on the afternoon of April 28, 2022 after a courageous and valiant, lionhearted and long battle with cancer. A service for the Burial of his ashes will be Open to the Public and take place at 2:30pm Saturday, May 14, 2022 at St Louis Cemetery No.3 ~ Located near Bayou St John and City Park ~ 3421 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans, Louisiana ~ Near the fountain at the front gate garden area in the Serenity Garden Columbarium 15-C ~ He will be laid to rest after a Private Family celebratory Mississippi River Cruise in his honor aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans ~ In addition, on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 1pm, for those close to Chef Nick, a casual, memorial tribute in recognition and remembrance of his life and of the joy he brought others will take place at the family river home. Anyone who knew Nick, worked with him, laughed with him, read comic books with him, blasted music with him, shared in his love of animals, wintertime, nature or travel, who called him Batman or scolded him for sharp knives left in odd places, understood that Food and everything surrounding it; the growth, the love, the preparation, presentation, the comradery of the kitchen, the endless hard work, the rituals, the process, the enjoyment of, the gift...was central to his identity and happiness. We also knew that the ability to utilize his quick wit with salty, well timed, sometimes dry and sarcastic comedy is what gave him that special added spark. He faced many challenges while remaining intensely grounded with a strong sense of self, humor, positivity and a borderline ridiculous work ethic. He believed in the kitchen as a place of 2nd chances and of just plain giving someone the opportunity whether it was because it was something they really wanted or because he saw potential in them that they maybe didn't even see in themselves. He was a gifted teacher with tremendous appreciation for those with whom he shared his work. Chef had the ability to lift someone up and recognize hidden abilities, talent and drive, and for that we are grateful. Maybe this was a natural and ingrained part of his personality or maybe it all started when people saw the ability in him at a young age and acted on that faith. The fact that he was trained during apprenticeships in Classic French and Italian Cuisine, worked in coastal kitchens in Maine, Alaska, Seattle, New York and New Orleans, then adding and incorporating techniques and ideas from travel, and not from a culinary school, must prove to us, to some degree, that we all have the ability to learn, to do it well and to pass it on to one another. Good food is good food, whether served on fine china, on a paper plate or at a food stand...and good people are good people, no matter how or where they share it. Nathan is survived and treasured by wife and business partner Kristin Littwin Gile of New Orleans; mother Fran May Wiswell (Leon) of Maine; father Wayne A. Gile (Cynthia Holland Gile) of Maine; brother Wayne Gile (Sherry) of Maine; niece Nicole Gile of Wisconsin; mother-in-law Suzette Littwin of Illinois; father-in-law James Littwin (Carol Mayer) of Chicago; and brother-in-law Michael Littwin of Chicago; and will remain treasured by an extensive family of chefs, restaurant workers and friends from around the world.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Edible Schoolyard New Orleans www.esynola.org/Donate or by Mail ~ Edible Schoolyard New Orleans 300 N. Broad Street, Ste 207 New Orleans LA 70119 in Chef Nick Gile's name are appreciated. For information regarding events, kristinwithtwoeyes@gmail.com.