British TV Chef Dies as Culinary Stars Share Tributes to the ‘Extraordinary’ Man

Kimberlee SpeakmanThu, March 5, 2026 at 6:31 PM UTC

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Chef Chris WheelerCredit: BBC -

British TV Chef Chris Wheeler, who appeared on Great British Menu, ITV’s Hell’s Kitchen and Saturday Kitchen has died

The Hurlingham Club located in London, where Wheeler worked, confirmed the news of his death to PEOPLE

Following the news, several celebrity chefs paid tribute to the chef including celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and Capital Hotel Knightsbridge executive chef Chris Pow

Chef Chris Wheeler, best known for appearing on the Great British Menu, has died.

The Hurlingham Club located in London, where Wheeler worked, confirmed the news of his death to PEOPLE. It is unknown how Wheeler died, though an obituary for Wheeler notes that his death was "sudden" and that he was born in 1973, though his exact age was not specified.

"Chris was a passionate and valued member of the team at The Hurlingham Club who made a significant impact in his short time here," the Hurlingham Club said in a statement. "We are supporting his family and our staff at this very difficult time."

Wheeler began his career as a chef in France under the tutelage of celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, who was one of the first people to pay tribute to the late chef following the news of his death.

Chef Chris WheelerCredit: BBC

He shared a photo of himself standing side-by-side Wheeler on Instagram on Wednesday, March 4, and 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,” he continued. “Chris was an extraordinary chef, but even more extraordinary as a man - warm, generous, steady, and endlessly kind. In the kitchen he moved with grace and precision; beyond the pass he carried a gentleness and humour that made everyone around him better. That is how I will always remember him.”

He went on to describe the chef — whom he had known since Wheeler was a “16-year-old college student” — as “always calm under pressure, fiercely loyal, the ultimate professional” and someone who “never had a crossed word.”

“For more than 30 years he has been more than a friend to me, he was my rock – but even stronger than that, he was more like a mountain of titanium. I was always so proud to see him enjoy the success he deserved and I will miss him forever,” Novelli wrote.

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“My thoughts are with [his wife] Simona and the girls and with everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. May we honour his memory by cooking with the same passion, humility, and love that he brought to every single day. Rest peacefully, my friend. 🤍,” he added.

Wheeler then went on to work at several restaurants before becoming an executive chef at the Stoke Park Country Club, Spa & Hotel, according to The Independent. During this time, he also completed the major feat of running the London Marathon while dressed as a chef, flipping a pancake for the entire race, according to The Caterer.

He went on to appear on Great British Menu in 2016 and then on ITV’s Hell’s Kitchen and Saturday Kitchen. He eventually published his first cookbook in 2018 called The Ginger Chef `Served Up.’

Chef Chris Wheeler DiesCredit: BBC

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Chris Pow, the former executive chef at The Capital Hotel Knightsbridge, also paid tribute to Wheeler, and referred to the chef’s beloved nickname, “The Ginger Chef,” in an Instagram post paying tribute to him.

“We crossed paths in London kitchens and again at Boodles Week, and those memories feel even more precious today,” he continued. “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,” he added.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”