Thomas Robey, a former executive chef at the Veranda on Highland who participated in The Bright Star’s “Night in New Orleans” events, has died at age 55, according to his obituary.

“The culinary world has lost another ‘gentle giant’,” The Bright Star in Bessemer posted on its Facebook page.

“The Bright Star along with the entire culinary community mourns the passing of Chef Tom Robey. … Tom touched many lives and taught many life lessons to the people he came into contact with over the years.”

A native of Ocean City, New Jersey, Robey’s passion for cooking ignited when he worked as a dishwasher at Ocean City restaurants.

Among the stops on Robey’s culinary career was the Veranda on Highland — which became Galley & Garden — in Birmingham, where he was executive chef from 2007 to 2012.

Robey also held several positions in one of the country’s culinary capitals, New Orleans. He was sous chef at Commander’s Palace.

Prior to his death, he was executive chef at Kingfish, Tujague’s Restaurant and Palmettos on the Bayou in The Big Easy.

He at times returned to the Birmingham area to take over The Bright Star’s menu for its “Taste in New Orleans” events.

“I’ve always been very close to the Koikoses, and there was no way we were not going to make the trip this year,” Robey, referring to The Bright Star’s owners, told AL.com in a 2019 story before he took over the kitchen at Alabama’s oldest restaurant.

“It’s a good chance to see all of my friends in Birmingham and have some fun. There is a great Birmingham-New Orleans connection.”

The Bessemer restaurant said the establishment and its staff “will always remember the MANY things that he taught us and the many laughs that we shared The Bright Star family was honored to work with him and call him our friend for close to 30 years. Rest In Peace Tom until we meet again my friend.”