Great British Menu chef Chris Wheeler dies as stars pay tribute to ‘extraordinary’ man
Great British Menu chef Chris Wheeler has died as stars paid tribute to an ‘extraordinary’ man.
Chris, who famously ran the London Marathon flipping a pancake, also featured on ITV favourite Hell’s Kitchen and Channel 4’s Saturday Kitchen.
He started his culinary career in France, where he worked at the Domaine De Bassible Hotel and a Michelin starred restaurant in Ségos.
His talent was recognised early by chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, who recruited him into his brigade while Chris was still a teenager.
Jean-Christophe paid tribute to his former colleague in a touching post on social media.
He wrote: ‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that I say goodbye to my dear friend, Chris Wheeler.
‘His loss is a devastating blow to the industry and to humanity.
‘Chris was an extraordinary chef, but even more extraordinary as a man – warm, generous, steady, and endlessly kind.
Great British Menu chef Chris Wheeler has died as stars paid tribute to an ‘extraordinary’ man
Jean-Christophe paid tribute to his former colleague in a touching post on social media
Chris, who famously ran the London Marathon flipping a pancake, also featured on ITV favourite Hell’s Kitchen and Channel 4’s Saturday Kitchen
‘I invited Chris to come and work for me when he was a 16-year-old college student.
‘For more than 30 years he was more than a friend to me – he was my rock.
‘I was always so proud to see him enjoy the success he deserved and I will miss him forever.’
Chris, who was born in Swanage, Dorset, went on to become the youngest Sous Chef in a Michelin starred restaurant.
He later featured in Tatler’s Restaurant Guide in both 2013 and 2014 and was awarded Chef of the Year in the 2016 Berkshire Life Food and Drinks Awards.
The same year, Chris represented the South West on BBC 2 programme Great British Menu.
Then in January 2025, he joined The Hurlingham Club in Fulham, west London.
Other people to pay tribute to Chris include former executive chef at The Capital Hotel Knightsbridge, Chris Pow.
He posted on Instagram: ‘Still trying to get head around the news about Chef Chris Wheeler — The Ginger Chef.
Chris, who was born in Swanage, Dorset, went on to become the youngest Sous Chef in a Michelin starred restaurant
‘We crossed paths in London kitchens and again at Boodles Week, and those memories feel even more precious today.
‘I can’t find a single photo from back in the day, but I’ll always treasure the book he sent me…
‘…a small reminder of the kindness and generosity he carried with him.
‘My thoughts are with his wife and his two daughters at this heartbreaking time.
‘Rest easy, Chef. Your spirit, your laugh, and your love for the craft will be remembered by so many.’
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