Death

News broke yesterday of the sudden death of one of the most interesting chefs on the London and UK restaurant scene. After a short illness, having been diagnosed with a rare skin cancer last year, chef Skye Gyngell died on 22 November, "surrounded by her family and loved ones".

A statement released by the family said: "Skye was a culinary visionary who influenced generations of chefs and growers globally to think about

We're sorrier than we can say to have to relay the news of the death of Richard Vines. The former restaurant critic for Bloomberg, Richard was one of the best-known characters associated with London's restaurant scene and someone we knew as a friend for the many years we've been running Hot Dinners.

For a quarter of a century, Vines was the Chief Food Critic at Bloomberg - a perhaps unlikely final job for someone who first

London's restaurant scene suffered another blow yesterday with the news of the untimely death of food writer and restaurateur Bill Granger. A statement released by the family said: "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,

Profound shock was the abiding feeling today right across London's restaurant scene with the news that restaurateur Russell Norman has died. The news was announced by Restaurant Magazine who had been contacted by Russell's long-time business partner Richard Beatty, who said in a statement:

"It is with the greatest sadness that I announce the loss of my best friend Russell Norman. After a short battle in hospital, he died