‘We are heartbroken’: Byron Bay restaurateur Kim Stephen dies suddenly aged 40
Australia’s hospitality industry and the Byron Bay community are in mourning after the unexpected death of Kim Stephen.
The Byron Bay community is in mourning after the sudden death of beloved restaurateur Kim Stephen, aged 40.
The creative director and co-founder of Arcade Agency Hospitality, which owns 10 restaurants across Australia, including the award-winning Light Years, is survived by his partner, Peta Van De Velde, and their 18-month-old son Sebastian.
Mr Stephen, along with James Sutherland and Robbie Oijvall, opened the first Light Years restaurant in Byron Bay in 2017, where the modern Asian diner became an instant classic.
The trio went on to open a further four outposts, in Newcastle, Noosa, Burleigh and Perth.
The venue has won major design and hospitality honours, including being short-listed for the 2023 Australian Interior Design Awards in the Hospitality Design category.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of one of our founding owners and Creative Director, Kim Stephen,” the restaurant group wrote in a post on Instagram on Thursday.
“Today we pay tribute to the man whose spirit and creativity defined so much of who we are.
“Kim was the magic, the imagination, the intuition and the spark behind everything we built. His ideas shaped our venues, our people and the experiences we share with our guests.
“He poured heart and brilliance into everything he touched, and as we move forward, we will carry on building his vision, honouring his legacy and the creative genius that shaped it.
“Kim’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to our local community for the love, kindness and support shown during this time. Your care has meant more than words can express.
“We are heartbroken to lose him, but forever grateful for the legacy he leaves and the unmistakeable magic he brought to this world.”
In her own tribute, Ms Van De Velde urged men “fighting battles the world can’t see” to seek help.
“Kim was my partner in life and in business. We will carry on building the empire Kim started, honouring his legacy and his creative genius that shaped it,” she wrote, alongside a photo of their young family.
“Kim poured heart and brilliance into everything he touched. I was and always will be in awe of his beautiful mind and the way he saw the world.
“Our son will grow up knowing the depth of his father’s vision and the remarkable man behind it. And, to any man fighting battles the world can’t see, I implore you to find the courage to ask for help.”
Other prominent members of the Byron Bay community, including the Hemsworth family and fellow restaurateur Antony Catalano, have paid tribute to Mr Stephen.
“Kim, known by most of us simply as China, was a beloved member of our Byron Bay community; kind, compassionate, generous, modest, all coupled with the sharpest and quickest wit,” Leonie Hemsworth, mother of actors Chris, Liam and Luke, said.
“He was also a fantastic cook, a skilled cocktail maker and an incredibly innovative and successful restaurateur. Despite all of this, music remained his life’s passion.
“He was a brilliant DJ and many of our family’s celebrations and those of our Byron friends are memorable thanks to the music he provided.
“It was a joy to see him in his element, doing what he did best. Our dear friend China will always be remembered with love … and, thanks to him, the perfect soundtrack.”
Mr Catalano, who owns the award-winning Raes on Wategos, described Mr Stephen as “magnetic”.
“It’s rare that you meet people like Kim who are universally loved by everyone … all of us were drawn to him,” he said.
“Kim really had it all, great looks, an infectious smile, effortless style and a spirit that made everything more fun. Our hearts are broken.
“We will forever miss him but we are so lucky to have known him.”
Originally published as ‘We are heartbroken’: Byron Bay restaurateur Kim Stephen dies suddenly aged 40
