Benoit Violier, who was named the best chef in the world two months ago, has been found dead in his home in Switzerland in an apparent suicide.
Police said the 44-year-old died of shotgun injuries and that an investigation into his death has been launched.
Violier ran the three Michelin-starred Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in the small town of Crissier, near Lausanne. It was ranked best in the world by France's prestigious La Liste initiative last December.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
His death comes just months after his long-time mentor and predecessor Philippe Rochat died after falling ill, the BBC reports.
Born in France, Violier applied for Swiss citizenship after taking over the restaurant in 2012.
Culinary greats in France and Switzerland have paid tribute to their friend and colleague. "The planet has been orphaned by this exceptional chef," tweeted French chef Marc Veyrat, while Fredy Girardet, who used to run the Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville, told the Swiss press he was "completely stunned" by the news of his friend's death.
"I can see no motive for such an act. He was a brilliant young man with enormous talent and an impressive work potential," he said. "He gave the impression of being perfect. This news is so sad."
Violier had been due to attend the unveiling of the new edition of the Michelin guide in Paris today.
"While a Michelin star can bring glory," says The Guardian, "the pressure to maintain the rating is intense."
-
Political cartoons for February 10Cartoons Tuesday's political cartoons include halftime hate, the America First Games, and Cupid's woe
-
Why is Prince William in Saudi Arabia?Today’s Big Question Government requested royal visit to boost trade and ties with Middle East powerhouse, but critics balk at kingdom’s human rights record
-
Wuthering Heights: ‘wildly fun’ reinvention of the classic novel lacks depthTalking Point Emerald Fennell splits the critics with her sizzling spin on Emily Brontë’s gothic tale
-
Epstein files topple law CEO, roil UK governmentSpeed Read Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the US, is caught up in the scandal
-
Iran and US prepare to meet after skirmishesSpeed Read The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East
-
Israel retrieves final hostage’s body from GazaSpeed Read The 24-year-old police officer was killed during the initial Hamas attack
-
China’s Xi targets top general in growing purgeSpeed Read Zhang Youxia is being investigated over ‘grave violations’ of the law
-
Panama and Canada are negotiating over a crucial copper mineIn the Spotlight Panama is set to make a final decision on the mine this summer
-
Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
-
Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
-
US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
