Acclaimed Aussie chef and ‘King of Breakfast’ Bill Granger dies, age 54

The culinary world has come together in mourning today following the passing of Australian chef and restaurateur Bill Granger at the age of 54.

His family shared the heartbreaking news on Wednesday, December 27 via an Instagram statement, revealing that he passed away on Christmas day in a London hospital, surrounded by his loved ones.

“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,” they wrote.

“He will be remembered as the ‘King of Breakfast’, for making unpretentious food into something special filled with sunshine and for spurring the growth of Australian informal and communal eating around the world. He will be deeply missed by all, with his loss most profoundly felt by his adored family, who are grateful for all the love and support that has been given.”

 

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A post shared by Bill Granger (@bill.granger)

In the late 1980s, Granger made the move from Melbourne to Sydney, initially immersing himself in the world of art. While pursuing his artistic endeavours, he balanced his studies by working as a waiter, gradually shifting his passion from art to the culinary realm. In 1993, the culinary maestro unveiled his first restaurant, Bills, situated in Sydney’s Darlinghurst suburb, gaining acclaim for its standout breakfast dishes, particularly the popular scrambled eggs.

Granger’s culinary empire continued to expand with Bills Surry Hills in 1996 and Bills Woollahra as his third establishment. Venturing beyond Australian borders, he introduced the first Bills restaurant in Japan in 2008, where he had previously lived for six months. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey, as Granger went on to establish eight restaurants across various Japanese cities.

In 2011, Granger opened his first UK restaurant, Granger & Co, in London’s Westbourne Grove. He further expanded his culinary footprint with another London-based Granger & Co in Clerkenwell and a new Bills restaurant in Hawaii in 2014. The same year saw the opening of his first restaurant in Seoul, South Korea, currently boasting two establishments in the country.

Delving into the realm of literature, Granger penned a series of acclaimed books, including Bill’s Sydney Food (2000), Bill’s Food (2002), Bill’s Open Kitchen (2003), and several others, each providing insights into the delectable offerings of his restaurants.

Beyond the kitchen, Granger showcased his culinary prowess on the screen. His six-part series, Bill’s Food, captivated audiences in Australia and the UK, drawing widespread acclaim. This success paved the way for subsequent series, including Bill’s Holiday (2009) and Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill (2013), which aired across various international networks.

Adding another dimension to his multifaceted career, Granger contributed as a food columnist for The Independent on Sunday in 2011. Additionally, his regular appearances on ABC Radio 702 and features in various media outlets solidified his status as a culinary icon.

Fellow celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson were among the first to offer their tributes to Granger.

“He was such a wonderful man, warm, charming, and had an extraordinary ease and style in cooking that could only come from Australia,” Oliver posted on Instagram.

“I’m heartbroken to hear this. So cruel,” Lawson said.

Fans from near and far swiftly joined in a chorus of tributes, expressing their heartfelt appreciation for the culinary legacy that Granger left behind.

Goodbye dear Bill Granger – the most gentle, charming, humble man. His London restaurant is an Aussie haven & headquarters of the Gumleaf Mafia, where he always greeted us with a warm, cheeky grin & his iconic avo on toast. Deepest sympathies to Nat and the girls #RIPBillGranger pic.twitter.com/2HsbhBe7uG

— Kathy Lette (@KathyLette) December 26, 2023

When I first moved to Sydney 23 years back people used to talk about “Bill’s scrambled eggs” like he was their mate or or brother. And the corn fritters. And avocado toast, the dish that became a cultural icon (and economic meme). Gone way too young. RIP. #BillGranger pic.twitter.com/hlV4Y2lMQG

— Neil McMahon (@NeilMcMahon) December 26, 2023

So sad to hear about Bill Granger — one of my favourite moments hosting @abcsydney was having Bill on, and giving him a blind taste test of Bills scrambled eggs that I had made vs some from Bills…. He picked mine as mine and said I’d be fired if I served them at Bills…

— Dan Ilic (@danilic) December 26, 2023

Terribly sad news. Bill Granger was one of the people who made Sydney so wonderful. We used to eat at the first of his neighbourhood restaurants all the time. His whole ethos was to create places that were fun, friendly and designed for the whole family. An inspiration. pic.twitter.com/xQfyP6J5VM

— Marc Stears (@mds49) December 26, 2023

Shocked to hear about the death of Bill Granger – many will mention the avocado toast or the scrambled eggs but for me the revelation was the honeycomb butter served with the ricotta hotcakes

— Jo ‘Torro’ Jo (@footballandtax) December 26, 2023

Granger is survived by his wife Natalie Elliott and three daughters, Edie, Inès, and Bunny.

-with AAP.