Rick Stein opened up about his own mortality last year, acknowledging that he “isn’t going to last much longer”. At 78, the celebrity chef revealed that he is “enjoying life” following a heart operation that made him contemplate death “big time”.
Speaking to The Times last year, Rick said: “To be honest, having had the operation and recovered, the improvement in my health has left me tremendously optimistic.
“Even though at my age and with the normal realities of life I’m not going to last that much longer, I think as long as you’ve got your health and you’re optimistic generally and enjoying your life, you don’t tend to ponder too much about how little life you’ve got left.”
In 2022, he underwent a heart operation at the Royal Brompton Hospital after being informed by his cardiologist that his aorta was failing – and without surgical intervention, he would die. Last week it was confirmed that a young chef from Rick’s Cornwall restaurant was found dead in the staff accommodation block.
Police were called for a welfare check on the young chef, a man in his 30s who died last Thursday (February 13). He was declared dead at the scene when police attended a Grenville Road property in Padstow around 8pm, reports the Express.
They had been contacted over concerns for the man’s welfare and found him in the staff accommodations for Rick’s company. He worked at his restaurant The Cornish Arms.
Police said the death was not suspicious, and Ian Fitzgerald, managing director of Rick Stein Restaurants, stated: “There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, but out of respect for the family’s wishes for privacy during this difficult time, we will not be sharing further details.”
He also said: “Our heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends and all who knew him. He was a valued and much-loved member of our team and will be greatly missed.”