Just months after his Swiss restaurant earned first place in France’s La Liste ranking of the world’s best restaurants, chef Benoit Violier has been found dead in his home.
Chef Violier, aged 44, ran the Restaurant de l’Hotel in Crissier, near Lausanne, together with his wife Brigitte. The restaurant has three Michelin stars and just months ago was named La Liste’s top ranking restaurant in the world.
According to BBC, Swiss police believe Violier committed suicide, although the ABC is reporting that an investigation into his death has been opened.
Violier's passing comes just six months after his mentor and predecessor Philippe Rochat died in a cycling incident.
In April last year, former Michelin-starred chef Homaro Cantu, who operated Chicago restaurants Moto and iNG also died, in another suspected suicide, aged 38.