Bill Granger, the cherished chef renowned for the acclaimed Bills cafes, passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 54.
The chef passed away in a London hospital, surrounded by family, after a brief struggle with cancer.
The family conveyed the heartbreaking news through Bill Granger’s Instagram account. “It is with great sadness that the family of Bill Granger announce he has passed away on 25th December at the age of 54. A dedicated husband and father, Bill died peacefully in hospital with his wife Natalie Elliott and three daughters, Edie, Inès and Bunny, at his bedside in their adopted home of London.”
Chefs globally paid homage to the Australian icon. Renowned British celebrity chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver extended his sincere condolences.
“This is devastating news, I’m so sad to hear this, what a guy he was …. a wonderful human, kind calm soul….I admired everything he represented in food I remember the first time I met him many moons ago he couldn’t have been nicer and his food so good …. Sending so much love to all his family.” Food writer and TV star Nigella Lawson also paid tribute, “I’m heartbroken to hear this. So cruel,” she commented.
The news hit deeply Down Under, affecting chefs who had worked with him or been inspired by him, sharing their shock and sadness. Australian chef Neil Perry paid tribute to the “passionate cook and writer” but also the “brilliant person, husband, and father” that he was.
“I still remember all those years ago visiting Bills and seeing an energetic cook scramble divine eggs in that little kitchen in Darlinghurst, the beginning of something very special.” Sean Moran from Sean’s in Bondi commented. “Way too soon. What a class act you were Bill. Thank you for everything you have done to put Australian food on a global stage. You will be greatly missed.”
Born in Melbourne in 1969, Bill Granger initially pursued studies in art and architecture at university. However, at the age of just 24, he chose to leave his academic path and opened his first cafe, Bills, in Darlinghurst. The cafe achieved immediate success, propelling Bill to fame as Australia’s ‘King of Breakfast.’ His name has since become synonymous with his iconic dishes, including fluffy ricotta hotcakes with honeycomb butter, sweetcorn fritters with avocado salsa, and, of course, silky scrambled eggs.
His casual cooking style spurred the growth of casual and communal eating, both in Australia and around the world.
Bill and his wife, Natalie Elliot, are the driving force behind 15 cafes and restaurants globally, featuring four Bills cafes in Sydney and other venues situated in London, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Seoul. His 14 cookbooks achieved best-seller status, and numerous young Australians honed their culinary skills with a cherished copy of Bills Food or Simply Bill by their side.
In January 2023, he was honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the tourism and hospitality sector.
Bill Granger is survived by his wife, Natalie Elliott, and their three daughters, Edie, Inès, and Bunny.
