He’s been described as an ‘industry great’
Michelin-starred chef Paul Kitching has tragically died aged 61, his wife Katie O’Brien has announced.
In a heartbreaking statement posted on his Edinburgh restaurant 21212’s social media platforms on Thursday, Katie wrote: “My love has gone. But what a love x.”
Paul’s cause of death has yet to be revealed.
My love has gone. But what a love x pic.twitter.com/w3gKsTsOsZ
— 21212 (@21212Edinburgh) December 15, 2022
Tributes have flooded in for the chef, with many chefs sharing their devastation at the news.
One person commented: “Katie, we are so sorry to hear this! We always loved dining with you and chatting with Paul. An industry great!! Sending you lots of love.”
Chef Shane Osborn wrote: “Such tragic news to hear the sudden death of the genius Paul Kitching. He was incredibly kind, generous and extremely talented.
“The meal he cooked for me at Juniper some 20 years ago was one of best dining experiences of my life. His cooking and hospitality made people shine with joy.
“Paul you will be missed by so many, thanks for all the great memories . My thoughts and deep condolences to Katie, his family and the team at 21212’s.”
And food critic Jay Rayner described him as “quietly one of Britain’s great chefs.”
RIP Paul Kitching. He was quietly one of Britain's great chefs. To get a sense of him here's my review of his restaurant Juniper from 2003, which I think pretty much covers the wild ride his food could be. https://t.co/0LMAoCA0Sd https://t.co/ZkyhJbvrEN
— Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) December 16, 2022
The Michelin Guide wrote on Twitter: “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.”
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.
— The MICHELIN Guide (@MichelinGuideUK) December 16, 2022
Kitching opened 21212 in 2009 and ran the five star restaurant with O’Brien,
The restaurant 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.
Paul was also awarded the Prince Philip medal for services to the catering industry.
Before moving to Edinburgh, the couple ran Juniper in Altrincham, 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 Paul as “pure talent, driven by a great creative energy; a powerhouse of the north.”
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