Posted on 12/16/2022 1:41:02 PM PST by nickcarraway
Tributes have been paid to chef Paul Kitching who has died suddenly
Kitching, who ran the five star 21212 restaurant in Edinburgh with his partner Katie O’Brien, was described as a “true inspiration”.
Sharing the news on social media on Thursday, she wrote: “I’m sorry to say the love of my life has gone.”
Tributes quickly flooded in.
In a Tweet released by the Michelin Guide, which inspects hotels and eateries across the world, the organisation paid tribute to “a true maverick”.
The post said: “Paul Kitching was kind, clever, hugely talented and infectiously enthusiastic. He was also a true maverick and his passion and creativity were evident in every dish he created. Our heartfelt sympathies go to Katie and all his family.”
Elsewhere, tributes flooded in online, with industry figures and ordinary food fans alike sharing their thoughts and memories.
ne person wrote: "Paul was such an incredible person – so gifted, insanely creative but also had time to talk to everyone, and to listen. Was an honour to know and work for him.”
“I will never forget my time working at Juniper, he was an amazing, wild, funny, inspirational man,” said another, and another social media user wrote: “He was the most inspiring person I have ever met, genius!”
Reacting to the loss, Chef Dean Banks – of the Pompadour in Princes Street Waldorf Astoria – wrote a moving tribute on Instagram.
It said: “A true inspiration to thousands of chefs who passed through his doors and to many more. Paul taught me there are no rules in cooking. Lemon tart with Chicken, STP with venison are a few that I mention alot. Paul will live on through his cooking and teaching.
“Paul was my last Head chef before I went out on my own and was truly part of creating me and my style. My condolences to all who loved him and to all who look up to him as one of the greats. He will be missed dearly.”
The pair opened 21212 in Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace in 2009. Since, the restaurant has received a number of awards – including best new restaurant in the UK, a Michelin star between 2009 and 2019, four AA rosettes and was named Catering in Scotland's Restaurant of the Year. Kitching was also awarded the Prince Philip medal for services to the catering industry.
Before moving to Edinburgh, the couple ran Juniper in Greater Manchester. The restaurant became the area’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, ranked in the top 20 restaurants in The Good Food Guide and was England’s Restaurant of the Year.
Gordon Ramsay previously described Kitching as “pure talent, driven by a great creative energy; a powerhouse of the north”, while food critic Jay Rayner said: “Paul Kitching is on more than nodding terms with genius.”
Died suddenly....
Lotta that going around....
Sadly, IMO, I believe we will be seeing more and more of these ‘died suddenly’. (code for VAX death)
OH but he was 61. Could have happened to anyone. /sarc
What a mystery this is.
Could it happen to me? Maybe? But not likely. I’m NOT vaxxed OR boosted. Was he?
safe and effective
Oh come on
61 is effing young today, that is exactly what the stories print when someone dies that young. Go look at celebrity death stories, 61 is considered young.
Whatever could it be?
We may never know. 🤡
He looks young and healthy.
Must have been something he ingested/injected.
What, no commentary from Scotland's premier epicure, Fat Bastard?
Another person who obediently followed the science to his grave.
Did you notice that they didn’t put in the story that he was only 61. I had to go looking for his age elsewhere. I wonder why?
Must have been something in the soup.
At least it wasn’t COVID, maybe the JAB saved him from COVID
Pfizer kills another one.
Obviously didn’t get the “Died Suddenly” mRNA “Vaccine” ... which is guaranteed to prevent 100% or your money back.
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