Bill Granger dead at 54: Celebrity chefs pay tribute to Aussie restaurateur

Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson have led the wave of tributes to high-profile Aussie chef and restaurateur Bill Granger following his death at 54.

Celebrity chefs have reacted with shock to news of Australian restaurateur Bill Granger’s death at the age of 54.

The Melbourne-born self-taught cook had a successful career spanning over three decades, which saw him launch 19 restaurants across Sydney, London, Osaka, Fukuoka, Seoul and Hawaii and authored 14 cookbooks.

Granger was most recently honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia in January.

He “died peacefully in hospital” on Christmas Day in London, where he’d moved with wife Natalie and daughters, Edie, Inès and Bunny, in 2009.

“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,” his family said in an Instagram statement on Wednesday.

Tributes for the acclaimed chef have already begun pouring in from his industry peers and celebrities, including British stars Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver.

“I’m heartbroken to hear this. So cruel. Deepest love to N, E, I and B,” Lawson wrote underneath the announcement of his death.

“This is devastating news, I’m so sad to hear this, what a guy he was …. a wonderful human, kind, calm soul,” Oliver shared.

“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.

“Sending so much love to all his family. Rest in peace, Bill, he will be sorely missed.”

Nigella Lawson paid tribute to Granger. Picture: Open Mic Productions

Oliver described his death as “devastating”. Picture: Ten

Their fellow British TV chef, James Martin, added: “So shocked. The world has lost a special person a brilliant man and talent … my thoughts and prayers to his family … a wonderful man gone too soon.”

Ex-MasterChef judge Matt Preston remembered him as a “genuinely lovely bloke and an inspiration”.

“So sorry to hear this news … Together he (with Natalie by his side) helped shape the image of modern Australian food around the world. My thoughts are with his family, friends and all those he worked with at this sad time,” Preston said.

Aussie actor and singer Jason Donovan described Granger’s death as “devastating” news.

“Wonderful father and husband. Wonderful man! Ray of Aussie sunshine,” the former Neighbours star wrote.

“This is such terribly sad news. Bill defined an era in food for so many of us in Sydney and beyond,” TV personality and interior designer Neale Whitaker posted.

“Sending much love to Natalie, Edie, Ines, Bunny and Bill’s extended family. Vale Bill Granger.”

Meanwhile, Oscar-winning Swazi-English actor, Richard E. Grant, shared his sadness simply with a row of “heartbreak” emojis.

Originally published as Bill Granger dead at 54: Celebrity chefs pay tribute to Aussie restaurateur