World-famous Australian chef Bill Granger died after a battle with cancer.
It is believed the 54-year-old man was diagnosed months ago before dying in hospital surrounded by family on Christmas Day.
His devastated loved ones revealed in an Instagram post that the legendary chef had died 'peacefully'.
“Bill, a devoted husband and father, died peacefully in hospital with his wife Natalie Elliott and three daughters, Edie, Inès and Bunny, at his bedside in their adopted home of Londona,” the release said.
World-famous Australian chef Bill Granger (photo) has died at the age of 54
'He will be deeply missed by everyone, with his loss felt most deeply by his beloved family, who are grateful for all the love and support given.'
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Granger was a self-taught chef who became a celebrated global restaurateur and food writer with a career spanning more than 30 years.
In 1999, Granger and his wife, Natalie, began a professional partnership that launched the company worldwide. Together they built a successful business that today has 19 restaurants in Sydney, London, Greater Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Seoul.
Bill wrote fourteen cookbooks, created five TV series and was recently honored with the Medal of the Order of Australia in January 2023.
He will be remembered as the 'King of Breakfast' for turning unpretentious food into something special and for encouraging the growth of Australian casual and communal dining around the world.
Granger's sudden death caused an outpouring of grief among the Australian and international food community.
'I am devastated to hear this. So cruel. Deepest love for N, E, I and B,” wrote British celebrity chef Nigella Lawson.
Jamie Oliver, 47, wrote that he was 'devastated' by the news of Granger's death and described the chef as an 'amazing human being' who made delicious food.
“This is devastating news, I am so sad to hear this, what a man he was…. a wonderful human, kind, calm soul,” Jamie wrote.
“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 was so good.
Granger dropped out of art school at the age of 21 to open his first 'bills' restaurant in Sydney's Darlinghurst in 1992 (pictured)
British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver shared a tribute to Bill Granger, calling the fellow chef an 'amazing man' (pictured)
“Sending so much love to his entire family. Rest in Peace Bill, he will be greatly missed jox xx.”
Sydney chef and Netflix star Mark Best also shared a touching tribute to Granger and his family, describing him as a “beautiful man who leaves behind a beautiful family.”
Chef Sean Moran paid tribute to Granger's contribution to the international culinary world.
'Way too early. What a class act you were Bill. Thank you for all you have done to put Australian food on the world stage,” Moran wrote.
'You will be greatly missed. Sincere love to my dearest Nat and your beautiful girls.”
MasterChef Australia presenter Matt Preston said he was saddened to hear the news of Mr Granger's death.
“Bill was a really nice guy and an inspiration. Together (with Natalie by his side) he helped shape the image of modern Australian food around the world,” he said.
“My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone he worked with at this sad time.”
Australian media personality and TV presenter Deborah Hutton, 62, shared a touching tribute to Granger and his beloved scrambled eggs.
'OMG…this is terrible news. Heartbreaking,” Hutton wrote.
'What a sweetheart he was… creating the first communal table in Darlo and perfecting simple scrambled eggs.
'My love and condolences to Nat and the children…unbearable for them.'
The Block judge Neale Whitaker also mourned the loss of the respected food writer.
'This is so terribly sad news. Bill defined an era in food for so many of us in Sydney and beyond,” said Whitaker.
“Sending lots of love to Natalie, Edie, Ines, Bunny and Bill's extended family. Vale Bill Granger.'
Granger is credited with inventing famous breakfast snacks, including avocado on toast and fluffy scrambled eggs
In a post, Australian actor and singer Jason Donovan called Mr Granger a “kind, gentle soul.”
'Devastating. Handsome man. Always a ray of Australian sunshine in our adopted neighborhood of Notting Hill,” Donovan wrote.
'My thoughts are with Nat, Edie, Ines and Bunny. Peace my friend.”
Granger's death was also met with sadness at Mr Granger's 'adopted' home in Britain.
British TV presenter and wine expert Olly Smith said: 'I love you all. Here's to Bill, the rarest of the softest gemstones.'
London chef and author Nina Parker said: 'So sad to hear this news about Bill. The food world has lost a very special chef.'
British online food maker Elly Curshen added: 'Such sad news. What a legacy.'
Swazi-English actor Richard E Grant was left speechless and chose to share a series of heartbroken emojis in response to the shock announcement.
MasterChef Australia presenter Matt Preston said he was saddened to hear the news of Mr Granger's death.
“Bill was a really nice guy and an inspiration,” he said.
“Together he (with Natalie at his side) helped shape the image of modern Australian food around the world.
“My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone he worked with at this sad time.”
The Block judge Neale Whitaker also mourned the loss of the respected food writer.
“This is such terribly sad news,” he said.
“Bill marked an era in food for many of us in Sydney and beyond.
“Sending lots of love to Natalie, Edie, Ines, Bunny and Bill's extended family.
“Vale Bill Granger.”
Bills restaurant Surry Hills Sydney (photo)
Granger (left) pictured at Bills restaurant in Darlinghurst during its opening year in 1993
The celebrated global restaurateur and food writer will be remembered as the 'King of Breakfast'.
Granger dropped out of art school at the age of 21 to open his first 'bills' restaurant in Sydney's Darlinghurst in 1992.
The chef was credited with inventing a breakfast item that ultimately defined a generation: the humble avocado on toast.
The Washington Post traced the first 'recorded sighting' of avocado on toast to Granger's Darlinghurst café. Out of necessity, the chef put the now famous breakfast snack on the menu in 1993.
He had limited trading hours from 7am to 4pm, which meant he had to open before breakfast to pay the rent.
Granger is also credited with being the first person to put the recipe in a cookbook, which he says felt “stupid” at the time.
For decades, the Darlinghurst cafe was also celebrated for perfecting scrambled eggs.
Granger first came to international attention in 2002 when the New York Times called him “Sydney's egg master” and described the scrambled eggs at his restaurant as “as light as an angel's breath.”
Served with sourdough toast, the classic $16.50 breakfast menu item has become the go-to dish for bill dinners.
Granger revealed that the secret to the best scrambled eggs is using free-range eggs and lots of cream – which can be replaced with skimmed milk to make them fluffy.
'The secret of our super creamy scrambled eggs? Be quick in the pan and don't wait with the cultured butter,” Granger wrote on Instagram.