Metro Detroit chef, entrepreneur, philanthropist Matt Prentice dies at age 62

CLAWSON, me. – Chef Matt Prentice, one of Metro Detroit’s most famous chefs, died at the age of 62.

READ: Beloved three-cat diner Matt Prentice dies aged 62

Prentice has worked in many well-known Metro Detroit restaurants, including Coach Insignia, Northern Lakes Seafood, and most recently the Three Cats Restaurant in Clawson.

What some may not know is that Prentice is committed to giving back.

Prentice was multi-million dollar business, had dozens of restaurants, delis, and catering businesses. He also cooked five-star food for the homeless for years.

Prentice went to the International Culinary Institute but left early to take his last $ 200 and keep his late father’s unique deli shop open.

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He made and lost fortunes in business with his bare fingers.

He once swore he would never build a restaurant in downtown Detroit, but changed his mind.

“The amount of money they have put into the area and the belief that really smart people – much smarter than me – have put into the area is amazing,” said Prentice.

He opened Coach Insignia at the Renaissance Center and expanded his empire.

He later had to sell his interest in his company.

With Prentice not participating in the competition for five years, he had to do something, so he worked full time for his favorite charity: Cass Community Social Services.

He opened a soup kitchen and worked closely with Reverend Faith Fowler

“He cared about people and he never made them feel less than that,” said Fowler. “I suppose he treated the people at Coach Insignia the same way he treated them in our soup kitchen.”

In 2019 he helped found Three Cats in Clawson. His partner and close friend Mary Liz Curtin said Metro Detroit lost a lot in Prentice’s death.

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“He loved cooking. He loved his charity, ”said Curtin. “He has been incredibly generous, not just with his money and his food, but also with his mind and training. He was a wonderful teacher. “

His family said Prentice died after a long battle with colon cancer.

Cass Community Social Services and Three Cats plan to open a Prentice-themed kitchen and restaurant in his memory.

In the Three Cats kitchen, Prentice is replaced by Drew Cayuela and Alex Matoin.

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