Deaths that shook the culinary world in 2019

2019 was the year of foodies and it saw many emerging new trends that are here to stay. But the year also saw some eminent personalities from the culinary world bidding adieu and their loss will be sorely felt by foodies across the world. Here is a list of 5 chefs popular in India who left us in 2019.

His was perhaps one of the biggest losses of Indian culinary world. Restaurateur Jaspal Inder Singh Kalra, popularly known as Jiggs Kalra passed away at the age of 72. He started his career as a journalist at the Times of India, before moving on to the food world. He started the first restaurant review column in India in the Evening News and later became an expert of flavours and was informally titled 'Czar of Indian Cuisine’. From his innumerable recipe collections, culinary articles and even restaurants- Punjab Grill to Masala Library, he has left behind a massive legacy that will keep him alive forever.

Another loss to the culinary world was the death of 29-year old celebrity chef Fatima Ali who lost her battle with cancer. She began her career as a junior sous chef at Café Centro in New York City. She became famous when she won the episode of Chopped on the Food Network. She became the youngest executive sous chef at Stella 34 Trattoria at Macy's Herald Square, and then the executive sous chef at La Fonda del Sol. She was also a contestant on Top Chef: Colorado and was voted the fan favourite.

Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes had a great fan following in India and his sudden death shocked his fans tremendously. Gary collapsed at home from a fatal brain bleed after dinner and left behind a rich body of world for the food world. The spiky-haired chef, who was best known for shows such as Rhodes Around Britain, Masterchef and Hell's Kitchen, suffered a subdural hematoma, usually associated with a brain injury. He became head chef the Castle Hotel in Taunton, where he retained its Michelin star at the age of 26. He went on to launch several restaurants, including Rhodes & Co, and opened his first overseas venture in 2004. He presented TV shows including Master, MasterChef USA and his own series, Rhodes Around Britian. He also had four restaurants and his own line of cookware and bread mixes.

On Diwali, the internet’s favourite chef, Narayana Reddy from Telangana, aka Grandpa of ‘Grand Kitchen’ died. He had been suffering from age-related ailments for a few days. The 73-year-old grandpa shot to fame because of his unique and interactive style of cooking and noble idea behind running the YouTube channel that he started in 2017 and within two years managed to have over 6 million subscribers in India and abroad. He used to cook meals for orphans and helped fill the hungry stomachs of children who didn’t have money to eat food. He was known for his special recipes that included traditional biryani, burgers and pizzas. Interestingly, he used to make all these continental dishes without an oven.

Mumbai’s most loved nonagenarian Boman Kohinoor, owner, Britannia & Co passed away due to cardiac arrest after being in the ICU for over two weeks. The 97-year-old restaurateur was known for his warmth, food and love for Queen Elizabeth, whom he used to write letters and she even reverted back with a hand-written letter. They are world-famous for their berry pulao, sali boti and dhansak. Boman Kohinoor’s father Rashid Kohinoor opened Britannia & Co Restaurant in Mumbai in 1923 and the place is known for their classic Parsi cuisine with vintage and colonial atmosphere.

Cafe Coffee Day Group founder V.G.Siddhartha committed suicide. In his heart-melting letter, he apologised to his team and staff. In the letter, he mentioned about his failure as an entrepreneur and financial loss he was going through. The 58-year old first-generation coffee entrepreneur hailed from a coffee-growing family in Chikmagalur in Karnataka.

In what came as a shocking news towards the year end was the untimely demise of television personality and celebrity chef Jagee John who was found dead at her home in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. John became a household name through her food show Jagee’s Cookbook. She was known for her simple and interesting take on food. She was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and studied in England, India and the United States.