Bill Granger, a top chef who was dubbed the ‘Godfather of avocado toast’, has sadly died following a battle with cancer.
The 54-year-old’s health declined after being reportedly diagnosed with the disease months ago. But Bill Granger tragically died in hospital, with his family at his bedside, on Christmas Day. Born in Melbourne, he was a self-taught cook and food writer, whose career spanned for more than 30 years.
Bill Granger dies surrounded by his family
A post by his loved ones read: “A dedicated husband and father, Bill died peacefully in hospital with his wife Natalie Elliott and three daughters, Edie, Inès and Bunny, at his bedside in their adopted home of London.
“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 sudden death has seen tributes pour in from other top chefs from around the world.
British celebrity cook Nigella Lawson penned: “I’m heartbroken to hear this. So Cruel. Deepest love to N, E, I and B.”
Jamie Oliver also said he was “devastated” by the news.
He wrote: “This is devastating news, I’m so sad to hear this, what a guy he was …. a wonderful human, kind calm soul.
“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 jox xx”
The humble avocado on toast
After dropping out of art school aged 21, Granger opened his first restaurant in Sydney’s Darlinghurst in 1992.
He has been credited with inventing a breakfast dish that ended up representing millennials – an entire generation – known as avocado on toast.
The Washington Post researched the first ‘known’ dish of the staple and traced it back to Granger’s café. He was also credited for being the first chef to put it in a cookbook – which he admitted he felt silly doing so at the time.
The New York Times called him the ‘egg master of Sydney’ and his fame travelled internationally.
Bill Granger’s career began with his wife at his side
In 1999, the cook and his wife began a professional partnership which saw their success travel worldwide. They built a company that expanded into 19 restaurants across the globe’s top cities. These included Sydney, London, Osaka, Greater Tokyo, Fukuoka and Seoul.
The chef also wrote 14 cookbooks, made five TV shows and was handed the Medal of the Order of Australia in January of this year.
Bill was named as the ‘King of Breakfast’ and ‘Godfather of avocado toast’. He was known for making unpretentious food into something much more.
MasterChef Australia host Matt Preston also paid tribute.
He said: “Bill was a genuinely lovely bloke and an inspiration. 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.”
Related Topics
MORE CELEBRITY STORIES
