In honor of Edward "Sonny" Sweetman, '93

In lieu of flowers, please make a gift in honor of Johnson & Wales College of Food Innovation & Technology alum, Edward "Sonny" Sweetman and support access to a JWU education. 

Edward "Sonny" Sweetman III

It is with great sadness that we report the loss of Edward "Sonny" Sweetman on May 7, 2026. He passed away, following a four year long battle with Uveal Melanoma Cancer. "Sonny" as he was known to all, used his final years to allow research so that others could be helped with their same struggle.

He treated everyone with respect and dignity, whatever their position in life. He had an uncanny memory about personal details which endeared him to everyone he met. Known for his high standards it made him a great mentor for many. He had a generous and loving heart, touching many lives and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Sonny was born in Towson, Maryland on January 20, 1971...and while as a young man at Franklin High School he acquired a lifelong passion for Culinary Arts. Sonny attended Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island earning a A.S. and a B.S. in Culinary Arts. He was a member of the Chipper's Ice Carving Club and a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity where he served as President.

Beginning at the Grand Cypress Hyatt Regency in 1993 Chef Sweetman continued to the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island and then Naples, Florida. He was next the Chef/Owner of The Abacrombie Fine Food and Accommodations in Baltimore, Maryland. Acclaimed by both Baltimore Magazine and the Baltimore Sun as the best new restaurant in the City.

He was selected in 2007 to open the Seespitz Restaurant at the Schloss Hotel in Velden, Austria. Returning home he worked for Wolfgang Puck in several capacities before becoming the Executive Chef at the Hotel Bel Air where he met Oprah Winfrey and became her personal Chef. Over the last five years of his career, he was the Executive Chef at Paramount Studios.

Father of three children, Clayton Linville, Alisa Sweetman and Cooper Sweetman. His marriage to Melanie Sweetman ended in divorce but remained best friends raising the children together. He is survived by his sister Julie Sweetman, Mother Maggie Herman and his Stepfather John L Herman Jr., Stepsisters Kelly, Colleen and Shannon Herman. His partner, Jayne Portnoy cared for him lovingly throughout his illness.