Just now got this random encounter with Balbus, talking about collecting ingredients for the "Gourmet". Is there a follow-up?

im not sure, I found that guy near markarth. i think I killed him though....

I found him very very early in my game on the road to Whiterun. I don't know what happened, but I ended up killing him. He carries a fork which is a unique item in the game.

Just the other day i came upon his body, still there (200+ gameplay hours later) but this time with a deer standing over his dead body, which would not move when I approached. Very strange!

He doesn't offer quests, he just talks about some mysterious chef. I assume the chef is another character that you meet in the game.

On my newest run, I shot him with an arrow and he dropped over.

You impersonate the Gourmet in a DB quest. If you show him the letter you used for the impersonation he's supposed to give you the fork and some ingredients.

wow really didn't know that and other people just kill lol.