The culinary world is in mourning following the death of acclaimed chef Skye Gyngell, who passed away aged 62 after a year-long battle with an aggressive form of skin cancer.
A Remarkable Career Cut Short
Skye Gyngell died on 22nd November in London, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Her passing comes just days after the death of her mother, compounding the tragedy for her family.
Her family confirmed the news in a statement, saying: "We are deeply saddened to share news of Skye Gyngell's passing. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy and is an inspiration to us all."
The sad news arrives just a year after Skye received a diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma, an uncommon and aggressive form of skin cancer.
Michelin Star Success and Subsequent Struggles
Throughout her distinguished career, Gyngell championed the 'slow food movement' - a community-led campaign to safeguard traditional cuisine. She became head chef at the Petersham Nurseries Cafe, where she earned a Michelin Star in 2011.
This achievement made her the first, and remains the only, Australian woman to receive this prestigious culinary honour. However, she once described the accolade as a "curse" due to the immense pressure it brought.
She later told the Evening Standard: "Probably I shouldn't have said it, because I didn't mean it in a rude way against Michelin. To get a Michelin star was an amazingly wonderful thing. But the infrastructure at Petersham made it very difficult. We essentially cooked from a garage."
Heartfelt Tributes from Culinary World
Following her departure from Petersham Nurseries Cafe, Skye took on the role of culinary director at Heckfield Place before launching her own establishment at Somerset House. She also served as food editor for Vogue.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver paid tribute to Skye, acknowledging her influence on aspiring chefs. He said: "She was an amazing woman and incredible cook and kind-hearted. She will be very, very, very missed. Thank you for all you did to inspire young cooks."
Nigella Lawson expressed her devastation for Skye's daughters, Holly and Evie. She wrote: "However ill you know someone to be, their death is always a shock. It's just awful that Skye is no longer in the world. It's a tremendous loss, and I'm heartbroken for Holly and Evie and all those who loved her and learned from her."
Australian culinary figure Kylie Kwong described Skye as "one of the greatest cooks of all time", while Sydney Opera House's culinary director Danielle Alvarez hailed her as an "inspiration to us all".
The culinary community has lost a true pioneer whose legacy will continue to inspire chefs and food lovers for generations to come.
