Kerby Craig, the founder of popular burger chain Ume, dies at 38

Sydney’s food community is in shock after the unexpected death of Ume Burger founder and top chef Kerby Craig.

A collection of Ume's many burgers. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

Sydney’s food community is in shock after the unexpected death of Ume Burger founder and top chef Kerby Craig.

Ume Burger’s social media revealed the news that the “founder, our dearest son and brother, mentor and friend” had passed away suddenly on June 9 at the age of 38.

The death comes just before the popular Japanese burger chain, which has venues in Barangaroo and Darling Square, was due to celebrate its 10-year anniversary.

“Words can barely express our grief,” the post said.

“For friends and those who knew Kerby, they knew him to be an outspoken, passionate, caring, loyal and charismatic larrikin with a larger than life personality.”

Kerby Craig. Picture: Instagram

He founded popular chain Ume Burger. Picture: Instagram

Food identities including Woodcut owner Ross Lusted and My Kitchen Rules contestant Dave Vu have offered their condolences on social media.

Lusted described Craig as “one of the most talent chefs” and said he was always in admiration of his creativity.

Some Ume Burger offerings. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

Craig left school at 15 to begin working as an apprentice chef at Tetsuya Wakuda’s Rozelle restaurant before moving overseas and working in Michelin-starred kitchens in London and Canada.

He returned to Sydney and established the hatted Koi at Woolwich before opening Ume.

Ume was Craig’s “life dream,” the online tribute said.

In preparing for the venues’ upcoming anniversary, Craig had written: “Ume is a success because of a team of people that have stuck by me. Success is not one person. That’s why it’s U plus ME.”

Craig with his burger. Picture: Instagram

Kerby Craig outside court in February 2021 in Sydney. Picture: Joel Carrett

In March 2021, courts overturned a conviction of assault against Craig relating to an incident in which he tried to wrestle his girlfriend’s phone away from her.

The Crown prosecutor told the court they had concerns that Craig had grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened self-harm in the lead-up to the assault.

Craig’s barrister argued that the chef had never offended before or since and that Craig had been under immense pressure, worried about the pandemic’s downturn on his business and its 25 employees.

The conviction was overturned but Craig still had to adhere to a two-year good behaviour bond.

It’s understood there will be a tribute to him in the coming weeks and that, until then, Ume restaurants will remain open.