A BBC chef who starred in Great British Menu has sadly died. Chris Wheeler appeared on the show in 2016, and famously ran the London Marathon flipping a pancake. His cause of death is currently unknown.
TV chef Jean-Christophe Novelli paid tribute to his former colleague, praising him as an “extraordinary” man and chef.
He 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.
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Bucks Advertiser)
“Chris was an extraordinary chef, but even more extraordinary as a man – warm, generous, steady, and endlessly kind. I invited Chris to come and work for me when he was a 16-year-old college student.
“For more than 30 years he was more than a friend to me – he was my rock. I was always so proud to see him enjoy the success he deserved and I will miss him forever.”
Fans were quick to send their condolences. One wrote: “Beautiful & soulful words JC & a fitting tribute to a truly remarkable chef. He’ll be hugely missed but never forgotten.” Another said: “A true gentleman and fierce grafter RIP Chris.”
Dorset born Chris trained at Bournemouth catering college then started his career in a Michelin kitchen in France. Jean-Christophe Novelli recognised his talents and over a ten year period he worked at Le Provence, Gordleton Mill and the Four Seasons.
Talking about his work at Le Provence, Chris told The Caterer in 2010: “Every Monday we’d have the likes of Raymond, Marco – my heroes! – coming down to see us. I still have the photos.
“Getting the first Michelin star was a huge high. We were so excited we jumped in the river – it was January so it was quite cold!”
In 2003, he left the Novelli empire to become head chef at Humphry’s restaurant in Stoke Park which has since won three AA rosettes.
The chef admitted he wanted to be a zoo-keeper but changed his mind after his nine-month catering work placement in France. “Catering was my second choice,” he said. “I suppose it’s nearly the same though – feeding animals!”
Chris was originally from Swanage in Dorset and was highly competitive and not just in the kitchen. He regularly raised money for charity running half or full marathons – sometimes carrying a 5kg stockpot.
In 2006, he ran the London Marathon while dressed as a chef, flipping a pancake for the entire race, finishing in six hours and 50 minutes. He also baked the cake that starred in the 2004 Daniel Craig film Layer Cake.
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