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British television chef and restauranteur Gary Rhodes has died at age 59, his family revealed in a statement Wednesday.
“The Rhodes family are deeply saddened to announce the passing of beloved husband, father and brother, Gary Rhodes OBE,” the statement said, according toCNN,BBC, andThe Irish Times.
Rhodes’ family said he died on Tuesday night in Dubai with his wife Jennie beside him. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
According to BBC, Rhodes’ first job was at the Amsterdam Hilton. In 1997, he opened his first restaurant, City Rhodes, and was eventually named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2006.
The chef, known for his signature gelled spiky hair, went on to open restaurants across the world — with locations including Grenanda, Ireland, and Dubai, as well as aboard P&O cruise ships.
He appeared in multiple cooking shows, includingMasterChef,MasterChef USA,Hell’s Kitchen, and his own series,Rhodes Around Britain. He also competed in Britain’s dance competition seriesStrictly Come Dancingin 2008 and was the third celebrity eliminated.
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Jamie Oliveralso shared a tribute to Rhodes, writing, “Sadly Chef Gary Rhodes OBE passed away. My heart felt sympathies to his wife , kids, friends and family, sending love and thoughts ….. Gary was 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. rest in peace Chef ?.”
Rhodes was born on April 22, 1960 in London, England.
source: people.com
