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News broke this morning that celebrity chef Gary Rhodes, a pioneer of British cooking, died in Dubai yesterday at the age of 59. His family announced a statement saying they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of beloved husband, father and brother.”
Rhodes, who The Guardian calls “the spiky-haired scoundrel who became the first superstar chef”, anteceded the fame of Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay, two chefs who would ultimately become much more famous, by helping to bridge the gap between the restaurant and the domestic kitchen for TV audiences across the country.
Over the course of his career, Rhodes was head chef at six Michelin-starred restaurants and was awarded an OBE in 2006. Later in his careers, as well authoring cookbooks like Rhodes Around Britain, Rhodes presented TV shows including the BBC’s MasterChef. He moved to the Middle East in 2012 and was understood to have most recently been living in Dubai, where he had worked on a number of restaurant projects, such as Grosvenor House Dubai and Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, and the Dubai British Schools Group, an organisation which developed healthy school meals.
Gordon Ramsay, among those in the industry to lead tributes to the chef, described Rhodes as a chef “who put British cuisine on the map.”
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 Gx pic.twitter.com/RRWlWhjup8
— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) November 27, 2019
Writer Nigella Lawson admired his talent, which had “nothing to do with the showbiz aspect.”
I’m so sad to hear of Gary Rhodes’ death. His poor family. He was such a talent, nothing to do with the showbiz aspect. Remember his food from the Castle Hotel and the Greenhouse so fondly and admiringly.
— Nigella Lawson (@Nigella_Lawson) November 27, 2019
Jamie Oliver described Rhodes as “a fantastic chef and incredible ambassador for British cooking, he was a massive inspiration to me as a young chef.”
Rhodes’ peer, TV chef Ainsley Harriott, called him a “true culinary icon and a lovely man.”
So sad to hear the news about Gary Rhodes. A true culinary icon and a lovely man. Sending my love and thoughts to his wife Jennie and their boys. RIP, my friend. xx
— Ainsley Harriott (@AinsleyFoods) November 27, 2019
The Ritz London’s head chef John Williams called him “one of the very best British chefs.”
Very sad news to hear the passing of Gary Rhodes one of the very best British chefs !! My thoughts are with his family!! RIP
— John Williams (@jwilliamschef) November 27, 2019
The author Jonathan Meades wrote of the restaurant Rhodes in the Square: “Rhodes was able to do English cooking so well only because he did it like a Frenchman. He brought French technique and imagination to bear on English staples.”
Jonathan Meades on Gary Rhodes: pic.twitter.com/BhibyVHVj7
— Chef Rico (@RutlandArmsChef) November 27, 2019
Paul Heathcote, an alumnus of Raymond Blanc, credited Rhodes with such an influence that “there are young British chefs who would not know how little pride we had in our culinary heritage, food and produce until Gary came on the scene.”
There are young British chefs who would not know how little pride we had in our culinary heritage, food and produce until Gary came on the scene. So sad . RIP https://t.co/p0tJmnIsnJ
— Paul Heathcote MBE (@paul_heathcote) November 27, 2019
The actor and writer Kadiff Kirwan recounted a heartwarming tale from 2008 when he worked at Rhodes’ Marble Arch restaurant.
So sad to hear about the death of Gary Rhodes. In 2008 on my gap year I worked at his restaurant in Marble Arch to save for drama school. Gary was always so lovely. When I left to go to drama school he gave me one is his signed cookbooks, I opened it and there was £200 inside.
— Kadiff Kirwan (@kadiffkirwan) November 27, 2019
Rhodes’ influence is felt far and wide in this industry, with the head chef of one of London’s greatest Thai restaurants paying tribute.
RIP Gary Rhodes.
— Singburi (@SingburiThaiCaf) November 27, 2019
Author, cook, and food historian Simon Majumdar said Rhodes “truly was one of the leaders of that generation of chefs that helped drag Britain’s culinary scene from the dark ages.”
So very sad to waken to the news of the passing of #GaryRhodes. He truly was one of the leaders of that generation of chefs that helped drag Britain’s culinary scene from the dark ages. Rhodes 24 was always one of my favorite restaurants.
— Simon Majumdar (@SimonMajumdar) November 27, 2019
So sad to hear the news about Gary Rhodes. A true culinary icon and a lovely man. Sending my love and thoughts to his wife Jennie and their boys. RIP, my friend. xx
— Ainsley Harriott (@AinsleyFoods) November 27, 2019
Welsh chef Grady Atkins said Rhodes “stood tall for British food in the 80s when no others had the guts to take on the French.”
Tragic news about Gary Rhodes. Iconic chef who stood tall for British food in the 80s when no others had the guts to take on the French. Next Spotted dick I make is for you mate.
— Grady Atkins (@GradyAtkins) November 27, 2019