‘A remarkable life’: Russian chef Alexei Zimin dies

Alexei Zimin, the founder and executive chef of Russian restaurant Zima in London, has died.

A post on Zima’s Instagram stated: “Throughout his remarkable life, Alexei accomplished a lot — he served as deputy editor in chief of Afisha magazine, founded Afisha.Food, also worked as editor-in-chief of Afisha World, [Russian] GQ and Gourmet.

“He hosted several culinary shows, authored numerous books and launched multiple successful restaurants. But most importantly to us, he was instrumental in founding Zima restaurant in London.

“To us, Alexei was not only a colleague but also a friend, a close companion with whom we shared many experiences — good, kind and at times sorrowful.”

It added: “We are profoundly grateful for the kind words we have received today in Alexei’s memory. We share this painful loss with you.”

In a 2016 interview with The Caterer, Zimin said he founded the Frith Street restaurant to educate people about Russian cuisine.

“There are some stereotypical concepts of caviar, salmon on blinis and borscht, but it is still largely unrepresented. London is such a culturally diverse city that I hope to reach the world here and share the best of what we have in the most accessible fashion,” he said.

The BBC reported Zimin was an outspoken critic of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Crimea in 2014 and spent his final years exiled in London.

Zimin was found dead inside a hotel room in Belgrade, according to reports in Russian and Serbian media, news outlets have said.

Image: Instagram/@zimarestaurant