We share with deep sorrow the news of the passing of Skye Gyngell on 22 November in London, surrounded by her family and loved ones. A chef of extraordinary vision, integrity, and warmth, Skye leaves behind a legacy that has profoundly shaped modern cooking and the way we think about food, land, and community. Her loss is felt not only across the culinary world but by all who were fortunate enough to know and work alongside her.
Born in Australia, Skye began her culinary training in Sydney and Paris before moving to London, where she quickly became one of Britain’s most respected and influential chefs. She rose to prominence at Petersham Nurseries, where her elegant, ingredient-led cooking earned a Michelin star and signaled a shift towards more seasonal, natural, and less formal dining in the UK. This milestone marked a turning point in the guide’s recognition of casual fine dining and helped reshape British food culture.
As Chef Proprietor of Spring at Somerset House and Culinary Director at Heckfield Place, Skye continued to champion a philosophy rooted in simplicity, seasonality, and deep respect for growers and producers. Spring was one of London’s first high-profile kitchens led predominantly by women and became the city’s first single-use-plastic-free restaurant—an achievement that underscored Skye’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and ethical hospitality. Her pioneering collaboration with Jane Scotter of Fern Verrow farm further exemplified her belief in biodynamic agriculture and the power of close chef-farmer partnerships.
In recent years, Skye devoted herself to mentoring young chefs, waitstaff, and growers, seeing this work as essential to creating a more humane and sustainable future for the industry she loved. Her leadership style—quiet, thoughtful, and deeply principled—left an indelible mark on everyone she guided.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Skye’s greatest joy and proudest role was as a mother to her daughters, Holly and Evie, and grandmother to Cyprien. They were the heart of her life and the source of her deepest inspiration.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Skye’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by her generosity, creativity, and spirit. Her influence will endure in every kitchen she inspired and every person she nurtured. May her memory be a blessing.


