27 December 2023 , 08:48
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Culinary stars across the world have been paying tribute to Australian food pioneer Bill Granger, with British chef Jamie Oliver describing him as "a wonderful human".
Granger died at his home in London on Christmas Day, his family announced on Boxing Day. The chef, who starred on shows like Bill's Food shown on BBC, and appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef Australia, was 54-years-old at the time of his passing.
The restaurateur and food writer's cause of death was cancer, with it reported that he had been diagnosed with the disease months ago. His family noted how Granger "died peacefully in hospital with his wife Natalie Elliott and three daughters, Edie, Inès and Bunny, at his bedside in their adopted home of London" when sharing the sad news on Tuesday.
Bill Granger is survived by his wife and their three young children
His death has sparked a slew of celebrity tributes online (instagram/ @jamieoliver)The culinary world has been rocked by Granger's death, with Jamie Oliver taking to social media to share two moving tribute to the late food pioneer. "This is devastating news, I'm so sad to hear this, what a guy he was …. a wonderful human, kind calm soul," Oliver write in his first Instagram tribute, adding: "I admired everything he represented in food. I remember the first time I met him many moons ago he couldn’t have been nicer and his food so good."
The Naked Chef then penned a second tribute on his Instagram Stories, telling his followers: "This is such sad news... I loved Bill Granger so much, he was such a wonderful man, warm, charming, and had an extraordinary ease and style of cooking that could only come from Australia. Bless you Bill so much love! What a guy. So much love to his family and friends."
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Nigella Lawson also paid tribute to Granger online, writing on Instagram: "He was the loveliest man, and the joy he gave us – whether through his food, his books, the spaces he made for us, or in person – came from the kindness and generosity and sheer, shining exuberance of his very self...it's too cruel."
Granger's loved one announced his death on Tuesday, with a family statement reading: "It is with great sadness that the family of Bill Granger announce he has passed away on 25th December at the age of 54. A dedicated husband and father, Bill died peacefully in hospital with his wife Natalie Elliott and three daughters, Edie, Ines and Bunny, at his bedside in their adopted home of London.
“Born in Melbourne, Australia, Bill was a self-taught cook who became a celebrated global restaurateur and food writer with a career spanning over 30 years. He will be deeply missed by all, with his loss most profoundly felt by his adored family, who are grateful for all the love and support that has been given.
"Bill authored 14 cookbooks, made 5 TV series and most recently was honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia in January 2023. He will be remembered as the ‘King of Breakfast’, for making unpretentious food into something special filled with sunshine and for spurring the growth of Australian informal and communal eating around the world. He will be deeply missed by all, with his loss most profoundly felt by his adored family, who are grateful for all the love and support that has been given."