Chef working at Rick Stein’s restaurant found dead in staff accommodation

The 'much-loved' chef was found last week

The man, said to be in his 30s, died last Thursday, February 13.

Police were called to a property at Grenville Road in Padstow at around 8pm following concern for welfare for a man in a property on the street, home to staff accommodation for the celebrity chef’s company.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police told Metro the man was declared deceased at the scene.

His death is not being treated as suspicious and his next of kin has been informed.

Ian Fitzgerald, managing director of Rick Stein Restaurants said they were ‘deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of our chefs’.

He told Cornwall Live: "There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, but out of respect for the family’s wishes for privacy during this difficult time, we will not be sharing further details.

"Our heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends and all who knew him. He was a valued and much-loved member of our team and will be greatly missed."

Stein purchased The Cornish Arms pub in 2009 alongside his ex-wife and business partner Jilly Stein.

His company, The Rick Stein Group, currently employs over 600 people and includes restaurants, a cookery school, shops and guest rooms.

Stein, now 78, opened his first restaurant in 1975, going on to appear as a guest chef in Keith Floyd;s 1985 series Floyd on Fish before being offered the chance to present his own series.

In the years since he’s fronted shows including Rick Stein’s Taste of the Sea, Food Heroes, French Odyssey, Mediterranean Escapes, Rick Stein’s Spain and Rick Stein’s India.