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27th November 2019

Craft Guild of Chefs saddened by passing of celebrity chef Gary Rhodes OBE

Written by: Edward Waddell
The Craft Guild of Chefs is saddened to hear of the untimely and sudden death of celebrity chef Gary Rhodes OBE at the age of 59.

Gary famed for his gelled spiky hair died with his wife Jennie by his bedside in Dubai, where he had been living for the last few years. “His sudden passing has shocked us all at the Craft Guild, and we have seen tributes flood in from the like of Gordon Ramsey, Ainsley Harriott, Simon Rimmer and Daniel Clifford to name but a few” said Andrew Green chief executive of the Craft Guild. 

Gary went to Dubai in 2007 and had 2 restaurants, Rhodes 2010 at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa and Rhodes W1 at the Grosvenor 

Jamie Oliver posted on Instagram: "Sadly chef Gary Rhodes OBE passed away. My heart felt sympathies to his wife, kids, friends and family, sending love and thoughts. 

"Gary was a fantastic chef and incredible ambassador for British cooking, he was a massive inspiration to me as a young chef. 

"He reimagined modern British cuisine with elegance and fun. Rest in peace Chef." 

Gordon Ramsay added: "We lost a fantastic chef today in Gary Rhodes. He was a chef who put British Cuisine on the map. 

"Sending all the love and prayers to your wife and kids. You’ll be missed." 

Chef Daniel Clifford wrote: "Rest in peace. A true British classic Gary Rhodes, you open the door for so many young English cooks." 

Andrew Green added “I remember first meeting Gary when we were on the same table the year that he won the Restaurant Chef Award at the Craft Guild Awards back in 1997, he was such a special character, full of life, but amongst all it was always his passion that shone through, and his love of the very best of British produce, I still to this day make his Chicken Liver terrine with Apple Jelly every Christmas, and this year will be no exception, but it will have even more significance” 

He earned a record five Michelin Stars throughout his career, and was the author of more than 18 cookery books and was consistently dubbed "The Chef's Chef" by his peers. 

The Craft Guild thoughts are with his family at this time.