Houston celebrity chef Ryan Tapp was found unresponsive at his own restaurant and declared dead at 37, with police saying no foul play is suspected.
Officers responded to a call at Nola’s Chicken & Waffles in Houston’s Eldridge/West Oaks area and found the 37-year-old unresponsive. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences declared him dead around 12:09 p.m. on Sunday.
The Sun reported that Houston police confirmed the death on Tuesday and said no foul play is suspected. Details of how he died remain unknown.
Tapp built a following as a chef, restaurateur, and internet personality who split time between Houston and New Orleans. He drew more than 135,000 Instagram followers and about 26,000 on TikTok by posting dishes, specials, and restaurant visits.
He started as a personal chef in Houston before opening his first spot, Tapp Out HTX, around late 2021 or early 2022. In September 2024 he opened Nola’s Seafood & Po’boys, then moved the restaurant, bar, and hookah lounge across town and rebranded it as Nola’s Chicken & Waffles.
He also recently opened Taste of H-Town Bar & Grill in Midtown Houston and began promoting it in June. Just days before his death, he posted videos pushing Nola’s specials and showing off his food.
He ran a video podcast series called Rawn and Ruthless, visiting Houston-area restaurants and sharing reviews. Fans knew him as a hands-on owner who put his name and face on the brand.
On April 19 he shared an Instagram video of himself dancing with his daughter on a New Orleans rooftop. After news of his death spread, commenters focused on the girl he often said he was working for.
One wrote: “This is so unfair. Can’t even Work hard and enjoy the blessings without somebody trying to take from you. My heart hurts for his family.”
Another said: “My heart aches for baby girl he always talked about how he was doing this for his daughter.”
On other recent posts, fans left similar notes. “Food was so good. So glad I had the pleasure of his chef services. RIP,” one wrote. Others sent condolences to his daughter and family and noted he had just opened another restaurant.
No official family statement has been released in the available reporting. Cause and manner of death have not been detailed beyond the police note that foul play is not suspected.
A young father and small-business owner built something with his own hands, posted the work in public, and left a daughter and a community of customers behind far too soon.
