Gary Rhodes 'reimagined modern British cuisine': Restaurant industry pays tribute to celebrity chef

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Gary Rhodes will be remembered by many as a TV chef who brought high-end cuisine into the UK's homes with boundless enthusiasm – but chefs are today mourning an influential figure who developed the style of modern British cooking that's come to define 21st century dining.

Rhodes passed away yesterday in Dubai at the age of 59, with his wife Jennie at his side.

His career began with training under Brian Turner – who today hailed him "a true friend" – at the Michelin-starred Capital hotel, before going on to earn six Michelin stars in his own right. His first came when he was just 26-years-old, when he retained the accolade at the Castle Hotel in Taunton, Somerset. He then went on to secure the Greenhouse in Mayfair its first Michelin star in 1996, having taken up the role of head chef in 1990.

Rhodes’s success led a string of successful restaurant openings, including Rhodes W1 at the Cumberland hotel, Rhodes 24 at Tower 42, Rhodes in the Square and City Rhodes, all of which earned stars. In 2011, he moved to Dubai and opened three restaurants in the United Arab Emirates.

As well as being known to many as a TV personality and the author of 18 cookbooks, Rhodes was considered a chef’s chef and is widely held in high esteem for helping to revive British cooking in the 90s, elevating and promoting respect for simple, traditional dishes like spotted dick and bread and butter pudding.

Chef Richard Corrigan, a long-time friend of Rhodes, called him the most “wonderful, generous man” who was a trailblazer for young chefs.

He said: “He was the most brilliant man. He took cooking from the dark kitchens and behind the scenes to the whole modern television chef personality.

“He was generous with his time, generous with his spirit, and a wonderful person to be around.”

Corrigan added that his influence on many chefs was profound, and that Rhodes would regularly drop into Corrigan’s Mayfair to see former colleagues.

He was very paternal – he was hugely encouraging of people, a salt of the earth-type character.

Chef Richard Corrigan

“He was very paternal – he was hugely encouraging of people, a salt of the earth-type character.”

Gordon Ramsay was among the other top chefs paying tribute this morning, tweeting: "We lost a fantastic chef today in Gary Rhodes. He was a chef who put British Cuisine on the map."

Fellow television star and restaurateur Jamie Oliver hailed Rhodes: “a fantastic chef and incredible ambassador for British cooking.

"He was a massive inspiration to me as a young chef. He reimagined modern British cuisine with elegance and fun.”

Marcus Wareing, Ainsley Harriet and Nathan Outlaw were among the many paying their respects this morning.

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