Legendary chef Aleister Little has passed away at the age of 72.
His current cause of death is unknown, but those working in the hospitality industry, and those close to Aleister paid their homage to the “godfather” of British cooking.
The star has left behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
But who exactly was Aleister Little? Here’s everything you need to know about the chef, including how he found his love for cooking and his famous restaurants.
Who is Alistair Little?
Alistair Little was a chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author.
He moved from the UK to Australia with his wife Sharon, who hails from Sydney. The couple met in 1995 while working in Umbria, and eventually married in 2000.
He discovered his passion for food while traveling across Europe as a young child with his father. He didn’t know what effect it would have on British cuisine.
Instead of following the route of cooking, Alistair read archeology at Cambridge. He remembers hating the food they fed him at boarding school. This resulted in him cooking a little for himself using Elizabeth David’s cookbook. This is where he learned his culinary knowledge that helped him succeed in the industry.
After leading a role in L’Escargot, Soho, Aleister took the leap and opened his own niches. It included Putney Simpsons Restaurant and Le Routier in Suffolk.
In 1985, he opened his eponymous restaurant in Soho, Frith Street, which has become one of London’s most beloved restaurants.
Little also opened a deli in Notting Hill, and his restaurant won The Times Restaurant of the Year in 1993, before eventually closing in 2009.
by Alistair Little
Alastair still has a company in place in 2022 – called By Alastair Little.
The inspiration for this came from Little’s deli, as they wanted to be able to remotely provide the beloved food at the Deli, where customers could order their food online and have it delivered to their door. All food at By Alastair Little is absolutely fresh, not cooked until ordered.
In an interview with Cookbook Kitchen, Alistair dismissed how the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on his business, despite the fact that he was running it from Australia.
On their company’s website, they state:
“he is [Alastair] He was a leading figure in the UK to develop the movement away from old-fashioned French cuisine in favor of food based on simplicity, seasonality and taste.”
Following the news of Alistair’s death, fans, followers and industry insiders took to social media to pay their respects.
British chef and TV personality James Martin He wrote: “The man was a legend in the eyes of many and my thoughts go out to his family and friends. Shiv, you are and always will be a legend to me and many others. Rest in peace.”
Michelin Guide They were also applauded, as they wrote on Twitter: “His Soho restaurant has influenced a generation of chefs and restaurateurs and the British food scene owes him so much. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
One Little fan added, “I was shocked to learn that Aleister Little had died. He was one of our leading chefs, so young. RIP Aleister.”
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