Celebrity chefs send messages of support for culinary icon Maggie Beer after fall

The family of SA icon Maggie Beer says she’s ‘feeling the love’ after fans and celebrities alike reacted to news she was in hospital.

Celebrity chef Maggie Beer is recovering in hospital following a fall. Picture: Stewart McLean

The family of Maggie Beer says the celebrity chef is “definitely feeling the love” as stars and fans alike sent a flood of well-wishes after she was hospitalised on the weekend.

“If social media wishes could be bottled up and applied to Mum’s ailments, she’d be back up and at ‘em in no time!” her daughter Elli Beer wrote on social media.

“Dad and I want to thank everyone for the huge outpouring of support. It has been warming received and is enormously appreciated. Mum is very definitely feeling the love.”

An award-winning Adelaide chef joined the celebrity chef voices offering support for Australian cuisine queen, 79, after a fall at her Barossa Valley home that will mean she will miss scores of public appearances, including at the Royal Adelaide Show.

In the announcement on Sunday night, Beer’s family revealed the food icon and television host had suffered several minor bone fractures and “related” injuries after a recent fall.

Colin, her husband of 54 years, found the mother-of-two and she was taken to hospital where she was recovering on Sunday night as doctors ran tests.

Elli Beer posts thanks on Maggie Beer's Instagram.

Maggie Beer has had a fall and is in hospital. Picture: Instagram

While her spokesman said doctors were confident the chef and entrepreneur would make a full recovery, her family said “it may just take a little while”.

Duncan Welgemoed, the award-winning chef at Africola in the CBD, told The Advertiser he hoped the “culinary icon” would recover quickly.

“I wish her all the best and knowing Maggie she’ll be back on the horse in no time,” Mr Welgemoed said.

“Her drive is unstoppable.”

He described Beer as “the biggest ambassador for food and producers in SA”.

“I hope she recovers,” Mr Welgemoed said.

Africola’s Duncan Welgemoed described Beer as a “culinary icon” in a message of support. Picture: Claudio Raschella

Callum Hann in his Olive restaurant kitchen with his gnocchi dish. Image/Russell Millard

Adelaide restaurateur and former MasterChef contestant Callum Hann wished a “speedy recovery” to Beer, whom he credits as an inspiration.

“When people think of food in SA, they think of Maggie Beer,” Mr Hann told The Advertiser.

“I grew up in the Barossa which is where she got her name.

“I grew up watching her and reading her cook books.”

Beer continues to inspire Mr Hann and his children as he said he has introduced them to her work.

“I watch a hell of a lot of The Cook and the Chef re-runs,” Mr Hann said.

“You can’t help but be in awe of her.”

Culinary celebrities across the world chimed in to send her well wishes.

British personality Nigella Lawson was among celebrities to send her support.

“Sending all my love, Maggie,” Lawson wrote on Instagram.

Culinary personality Nigella Lawson. Picture: Supplied/Channel 7

Miguel Maestre, host of the Channel 10 cooking show Ready Steady Cook.

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Leading chef and Tasting Australia food curator, Emma McCaskill shared her message of support for Beer with The Advertiser.

“Hope’re you’re travelling OK (and) getting looked after, and it’s not all jelly and sandwiches for hospital food,” she said.

In 2020, Beer and McCaskill joined forced for one night only as part of Tasting Australia.

Television chef and Ready Steady Cook host Miguel Maestre posted “get better Maggie” and Australian-British celebrity chef John Torode wished her “a speedy recovery”.

Former MasterChef Australia winner Elena Duggan also sent Beer “big love and speedy healing”.

John Torode in a scene from the TV series John Torode's Asia. Picture: Supplied by Foxtel

Prominent chef and former guest judge on MasterChef Kylie Kwong and former contestant Georgia Barnes also sent their support.

Seven News weatherman Sam Mac joined in with a message for Beer.

“Wishing you a speedy recovery Maggie!” he wrote.

Celebrity chef Kylie Kwong. Picture: Supplied

Sunrise’s Sam Mac. Picture: Glenn Hampson

As a result of the fall, she has apologised for having to cancel a series of public engagements while she recovers.

It is understood no time frame has been given and will be based on doctor’s advice each day.

In a post on her social media, her family wrote: “Just writing to let you know that following a fall at her home, she’s unfortunately suffered a couple of minor bone fractures and related injuries.

“Thankfully Col, her husband, was there and she is now in the excellent hands of her doctors who are confident she will make a full recovery.

“It may just take a little while.”