Tuscaloosa’s Prodigy Chef Fuller Goldsmith Dies of Cancer at 17

Fuller Goldsmith, the beloved Tuscaloosa teenager who conquered cancer four times and earned a nationwide reputation as a prodigy chef, died Tuesday at the age of 17.

The terrible news was shared on social media by Cal Holt, whose son Justin Holt owns and operates the Southern Ale House, where Goldsmith was an assistant to executive chef Brett Garner.

Get our free mobile app

Goldsmith was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of three, but against all odds, he overcame the cancer four different times before it returned and claimed his young life Tuesday.

In his 17 years, he lived a mighty and rich life. His passion for cooking eventually made him the most celebrated chef in Tuscaloosa and led to his victory at age 13 on the Food Network's elite 'Chopped Junior' competition TV show.

He got to meet his idol Guy Fieri in 2018 and even the international superstar was impressed with the West Alabama wunderkind.

"What you've already accomplished in your life in amazing, and the example that you're setting for other kids is amazing," Fieri said. "Cancer is a very difficult thing -- I've had a lot of family members go through it, a lot of friends go through it and I'll tell you, you've got to believe, you've gotta trust, you gotta go, you gotta fight hard and it's not easy -- it's not easy at all."

The thoughts and prayers of the Tuscaloosa Thread staff and the entire team at Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa are with the Goldsmith family, the Southern Ale House staff and all who were touched by Fuller in his short but incredible life.