‘World’s Best Chef’ found dead at home

LAUSANNE (Web Desk) – Chef Benoit Violier, whose Swiss restaurant was declared the world’s best in December, has reportedly committed suicide.

Mr Violier, 44, ran the Restaurant de l’Hotel de Ville in Crissier, near the city of Lausanne. It earned three Michelin stars and came top in France’s La Liste ranking of the world’s 1,000 best eateries.

Swiss police said Mr Violier, who was born in France, was found dead at his home and appeared to have shot himself, the BBC reported on Monday.

A keen hunter, he was known for signature dishes including game and produced a weighty book on game meat last year.

Accepting the French award, given by France’s foreign ministry as an alternative to the World’s Best 50 Restaurants prize, he said it was an “exceptional” honour.