Rose Gray, chef and co-founder of London's iconic River Café has died at the age of 71. She had been battling breast cancer.
The chef, who set up the west London eatery with fellow chef Ruth Rogers in 1987, died late on Sunday.
Gray and Rogers, who also penned a series of cookery books, are credited with bringing their version of Italian cuisine to the British, focusing on using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Since the first restaurant opened in Hammersmith, the River Café has launched the careers of many well-respected celebrity chefs, such as Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
Oliver, who described Gray as "one of the most important chefs of our times", said he was saddened by news of her death.
"She really was one of life's very very special, natural, genius chefs; a true pioneer of delicious simple cooking.
"It was my honour to have worked with her -- a really great boss, a wonderful person who gave me some of my fondest cooking memories and great funny times.
"Without question the world has lost one of the most important chefs of our times, she will be sorely missed."
Fellow River Café 'graduate' Fearnley-Whittingstall said that Gray's tuition had made a huge impact on him when he was taken on as a novice in 1989.
"Over the next eight months I learned more from Rose than from anyone I have ever cooked with," he wrote in the Guardian, describing her as "unfailingly generous" with her time and praise.
"She will be remembered by everyone who ever ate the wonderful Italian food cooked by her and Ruthie, and appreciated for years to come by all who have wowed their friends with recipes from the five amazing River Café cookbooks," he wrote.
Gray and Rogers were both awarded an MBE in this year's New Year's Honours list for services to the hospitality industry.
Gray is survived by her husband David and her four children.
Copyright 2010 AFP European Edition
