Sad news in the restaurant community. Here's a post from our breaking news blog:

Hook Atsavinh, a popular area sushi chief and owner of Hook's, has died of an unknown infection, his family said.

Atsavinh, 44, is a well known Pinellas fixture, having worked at No. 9 Bangkok and Sushi Rock Grill before opening his own restaurant on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. in St. Petersburg.

His family said he had been on a diet for the past two months, losing 40 pounds, and had not been feeling well. He attributed the symptoms to his diet. He went to a local emergency room a few days ago, and died Monday from an unknown infection. Check back later for updates.