‘A true genius’: Hospitality pays tribute to Russell Norman

The hospitality industry has paid tribute to Russell Norman as a “great visionary” who inspired many others with his restaurants and writing.

The restaurateur, author and chef died on 23 November at the age of 57.

Jay Rayner, restaurant critic at the Observer, said Norman was “one of the most gifted of restaurateurs, a terrific writer and an awful lot of fun to be around”.

“He very much lived life his own way,” Rayner wrote on X. “My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Publican Oisin Rogers tweeted: “RIP Russell Norman. A true genius admired by everybody in restaurants who had any clue what they were doing.”

Food write Xanthe Clay wrote on X: “Utterly shocked and devastated to hear the news about Russell Norman. Thinking of his family.”

Chef Gary Usher said he based much of his Sticky Walnut restaurant design on Polpo.

He wrote on X: “This is so upsetting for his loved ones. I based much of Sticky on Polpo. I had no pound signs on my menus because Russell didn’t, I had no lamp shades because Russell didn’t & my first menus were on recycled brown paper because that’s what Russell did. An icon & an inspiration RIP.”

Mark Lewis, chief executive of charity Hospitality Action, tweeted: "Such sad and shocking news about Russell Norman, RIP. I bumped into him enjoying a glass of wine outside @racine_kitchen only a week or two ago. I was proud to hand him a Catey in 2012. A huge talent, and a huge loss."

The Parkers Arms in Lancashire tweeted: “Very sad and extremely shocked to hear about the sudden death of Russell Norman. I always thought he was a great visionary for our industry… Terrible news. Condolences to his family & friends. A hospitality light gone out.”

*If you would like to share any tributes to Norman, please send them to Jungmin.Seo@thecaterer.com *