Tributes paid to Bill Granger following death at 54

Tributes have been paid to chef and restaurateur Bill Granger, who has died at the age of 54.

The Australian chef operated five Granger & Co restaurants in London, having launched his first in Notting Hill in 2011 serving brunch and a relaxed all-day menu.

His family said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that the family of Bill Granger announce he has passed away on 25 December at the age of 54. A dedicated husband and father, Bill died peacefully in hospital with his wife Natalie Elliott and three daughters, Edie, Inès and Bunny, at his bedside in their adopted home of London."

Granger dropped out of art school in 1993 before opening his first restaurant, Bills in Sydney's Darlinghurst. The restaurant quickly became known for its breakfast offering served from a central communal table.

In 2002, the New York Times dubbed the chef ‘the egg master of Sydney', describing his scrambled eggs ‘as light as the breath of an angel'.

In 2008, the chef expanded his restaurant business internationally, eventually reaching 19 restaurants across cities including Tokyo, London, and Seoul.

Granger wrote 12 cookbooks which sold more than one million copies and starred in five television series which were broadcast across more than 30 countries.

Tributes to Granger have been made from across the industry. Author and broadcaster Nigella Lawson said: "He was the loveliest man, and the joy he gave us – whether through his food, his books, the spaces he made for us, or in person – came from the kindness and generosity and sheer, shining exuberance of his very self. So devastated for his family. It's too cruel. May his memory be a blessing."

Jamie Oliver added: "He was such a wonderful man, warm, charming, and had an extraordinary ease and style in cooking that could only come from Australia… many moons ago I remember going to his first Sydney restaurant in Darlinghurst it was so cool, so relaxed, great food and coffee and years ahead of its time he was there in full effect so welcoming and just so nice."