Keith Floyd dies: his own kind of genius

15 September 2009:

Celebrity chef Keith Floyd has died following a heart attack, aged 65. He died at his partner's Dorset home on Monday, said his autobiography ghost-writer, James Steen. Floyd had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in June.

Raymond would like to add his voice to the many tributes which will be coming in to this influential and inspiring cook:

"In his own very characteristic way Floyd was a genius. He de-mystified food and made it a popular craft. He was the first chef to reform tv completely.

I had the pleasure to have lunch here, at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, last summer with Floyd and James Steen over a bottle of Gevrey Chambertin, he truly was a charming and generous man.

I will miss him."