‘Deeply loved’ Nottingham chef Des Sweeney dies

Chef Des Sweeney, a chef who had cooked for Queen Elizabeth II and the House of Lords, has died aged 60. 

Sweeney had over 40 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, having started out as a chef for the Merchant Navy in the 1980s.

In 1986, he joined the Royal Household as a chef and was responsible for cooking for the Royal Family during their visits to stately homes and castles.

He also spent several years as a chef saucier for the House of Lords and later head chef of Punchinello’s in Nottingham, which closed in 2009 after nearly 120 years in operation.

Sweeney was then executive head chef at the Grade II*-listed Woodborough Hall in Nottingham for ten years before launching his own pub, the Cross Keys in Epperstone near Nottingham, in 2014.

A message on the Cross Keys Facebook page read: “To our loyal team, customers and friends, it is with heavy hearts we have to inform you that our owner and chef Des Sweeney sadly passed away last week.

“Thank you for all your support at this very difficult time, it is greatly appreciated. He was deeply loved by so many and will be dearly missed.”

The pub said it would share updates on the future of the venue “in due course”.

Image: Facebook