TV chef Russell Norman has sadly died at the age of 57.
The restaurateur was known for his Italian-inspired cuisine and had written several cookbooks and opened many restaurants during his career. He was also a regular on BBC Saturday Kitchen.
Russell is said to have passed away on Thursday (November 23) following a short illness in hospital. It is understood his wife and three children were at his bedside when he died.
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Russell’s business partner Richard paid tribute to his death in an emotional statement. He said: “It is with the greatest sadness I announce the loss of my best friend Russell Norman.
“After a short battle in hospital, he died surrounded by family and friends. Russell is survived by his wife and three children, and I ask that you respect the privacy of his family, friends and colleagues at this time,” he added.
Russell co-founded POLPO and SPUNTINO along with Richard. The pair also came up with the laid-back Italian restaurant BRUTTO.
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BRUTTO has been ranked amongst the best restaurants in London since it opened in 2021. According to Restaurant Magazine, BRUTTO will remain open under the custodianship of Norman’s son, Ollie, and his wife, Jules.
The chef was born in Perivale. He then moved to Hounslow with his younger brothers. Speaking to the Food and Travel magazine in 2021, he recalled his younger years and said: “I spent my formative years there, only leaving to go to Sunderland Polytechnic.
(Image: Can Nguyen/REX/Shutterstock)
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“I studied there for three years and worked in the North East for a year, as a community arts officer in East Durham. It didn’t suit me at all and I came back to London, looking for work.”
In 2012, he won an award for his first cookbook. Two years later, another one of his books, POLPO: A Venetian Cookbook (of Sorts) won Waterstones Book of The Year.
And the awards didn’t stop there. In 2016, his second cookbook bagged the Guild Food Writers Award for best food and travel book.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
