High-profile Sydney chef Justin Bull found dead
High-profile Sydney restaurateur and James Packer’s former private chef Justin Bull has been found dead in his eastern suburbs cafe this morning.
Tributes flowed and flowers were laid outside popular Bronte cafe Huxton’s, where chef and owner Justin Bull was found dead early on Friday morning.
The 46-year-old was a former personal chef to billionaire James Packer and Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, before opening Huxton’s on Macpherson St two years ago.
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Celebrity chef and friend of Bull’s, Matt Moran, sat outside the cafe yesterday consoling a group of family members and staff.
Clearly shaken by the news, Moran did not want to comment.
Phil, who owns The Char chicken shop a few doors up from Huxton’s, said: “He will be greatly missed.”
“He was a tremendous family man and contributor to the community.”
Another local Bronte resident who frequented the cafe described Bull as “a really great guy.”
“I can’t believe it,” the man, who did not want to be named, said as he laid a bunch of flowers outside the door to the cafe.
One staff member, who requested to remain anonymous, fought back tears as she remembered her boss as being “full of energy”.
Bull’s passing is the most recent in a string of deaths which have occurred within the Sydney chef community.
High profile chef Colin Fassnidge, best known from My Kitchen Rules, said while he did not know Bull closely, he was deeply saddened by the news.
“It just keeps going on and on, it’s like every week now, it’s like an avalanche,” Fassnidge said.
“And they are all a similar age, with families and kids. It is shocking and distressing.”
When asked why chefs may be taking their own lives, Fassnidge said: “Obviously, I don’t know his (Bull’s) situation so I can’t comment on that, but obviously depression is huge and our industry probably had its worst year last year in terms of trading and people going bust, they’re just trying to keep their head above water.”
Celebrity chef Jeremy Strode died in July 2017 and Darren Simpson passed away a month earlier after a long battle with alcohol and addiction-related illness.
Last year American chef Anthony Bourdain took his own life in an hotel near Strasbourg in France.
Police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances in Bull’s death.
Bull leaves behind his wife of 14 years, Justine, and a six-year-old son.
If you are experiencing depression or are suicidal, or know someone who is, help is available via Lifeline: 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636.
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