Richard E Grant and Jamie Oliver pay tribute to celebrity chef Skye Gyngell following her death from a rare skin cancer at the age of 62

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Richard E. Grant and Jamie Oliver recently honored Skye Gyngell, a well-known chef from Australia, after she passed away at 62 from a rare form of skin cancer.

Skye, the first Australian woman to earn a Michelin star, has died after battling Merkel cell carcinoma.

Skye Gyngell’s family announced with great sadness that she passed away on November 22nd in London, with her family and loved ones by her side.

Following the news, 68-year-old actor Richard shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, recalling how Skye had generously sent his family food packages when his wife, Joan, was battling lung cancer.

He also mentioned that Skye provided the catering for Richard’s daughter Olivia’s wedding last September, and he shared photos from the wedding on his social media Story.

Richard penned in his tribute: ‘Devastated to hear that Chef Supremo Skye Gyngell has died. 

I first met Skye at Petersham Nurseries two decades ago, and we quickly became close friends. Every summer, whether in France or London, I loved cooking my way through all of her cookbooks. When my wife received a difficult diagnosis, Skye thoughtfully sent us incredibly comforting food packages to cheer us up.

Her last incredibly kind gesture was providing the food for our daughter Olivia Grant’s wedding last September. I plan to keep making her special recipes for as long as I’m able.

Chef Jamie, 50, also shared a heartfelt tribute, writing online that he was deeply saddened to hear of her passing. He described her, @sykegyngell, as a fantastic cook and a truly wonderful person, adding that she would be greatly missed and wishing her peace.

The family shared that Skye was a groundbreaking chef who inspired cooks and farmers around the world to appreciate the link between food and where it comes from.

‘She leaves behind a remarkable legacy and is an inspiration to us all.’

Caroline Gyngell died after battling Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer. She discovered a lump on her neck in April 2024 and was subsequently diagnosed with the disease.

As a lifestyle expert, I was so saddened to hear about the passing of Cornelia Gyngell. It was particularly heartbreaking to learn that her mother, Ann Gyngell – a talented interior designer – had passed away just days before. Ann was a wonderful woman, and of course, the daughter of broadcasting legend Bruce Gyngell. It’s a truly difficult time for the whole family.

Channel Nine presenter Leila McKinnon, who is married to David Gyngell’s brother, announced the news of her mother-in-law’s passing publicly.

Born in Sydney in 1963, Skye Gyngell honed her culinary skills with training in France and experience in London. She then became the head chef at Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond when it first launched in 2004.

Seven years after opening the restaurant, she received a Michelin star, becoming the first – and so far, only – Australian woman to achieve this honor.

In 2012, she became the culinary director at Heckfield Place. Then, in 2014, she opened Spring, her highly-regarded restaurant at Somerset House.

In addition to running her restaurant, Gyngell also wrote several cookbooks and frequently contributed articles about food.

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2025-11-24 12:08