Patricia “Patty” Jean Mitchell, a food influencer before being an “influencer” was a social-media thing, died Sept. 17 at age 72.
The Newport Beach resident was well known to Orange County chefs, foodies and restaurant owners.
As the founder of Culinary Promotions, Mitchell was the pitchwoman for restaurants including Avila’s El Ranchito and The Summit House. Her enticing food photos and stories on Instagram, dating back to the platform’s early days, drew countless people to dine out while introducing new eateries and entrees to the culinary world.
“Patty was such a kind and loving person who was amazingly talented and well respected within the culinary community,” said the Avila family in a statement on Thursday, Sept. 28 “Patty was exceptional at her craft and a pioneer in her industry. She will be greatly missed and will always hold a special place in our Avila family. May she forever rest in peace.”
Among Mitchell’s many passions was her involvement with the Los Angeles-Orange County chapter of the Les Dames d’Escoffier, an organization that supports women in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. She was the group’s immediate past president and a key fundraiser.
“If food, wine and hospitality are symbolic of love, then Patty Mitchell loved with zeal,” said Cecilia P. Fileti, who sits on the board of directors for the chapter.
The organization’s cause was one that Patty “embraced with fervor,” the group said. She had been actively involved with Les Dames d’Escoffier for eight years, with half that time serving as its president.
Born in Ohio in 1951, Mitchell and her family relocated to California in 1958, first to Hollywood and then Tustin, where Patty would graduate from Tustin High. During her years at Cal State Fullerton, she got a job as a bartender and then landed a gig at Young’s Market, a renowned purveyor of beer, wine and liquor. She soon was selling wine to local restaurants, marking the…
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