Tributes pour in for Fat Duck chefs killed in Hong Kong
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Tributes are pouring in for two young chefs from Michelin-starred restaurant the Fat Duck, who have been killed in a car crash in Hong Kong.
The Fat Duck, Bray, Berkshire
Firefighters fought to free 34-year-old Jorge Ivan Arrango Herrera and 30-year-old Carl Magnus Lindgren from the wreckage of their taxi on Monday morning, but both were later pronounced dead at hospital.
Their 53-year-old taxi driver also died in the accident, in which the car crushed between two buses.
The chefs were understood to be in Hong Kong representing the Fat Duck alongside the Berkshire restaurant’s head chef and owner, Heston Blumenthal. He is reported to have been in a separate taxi at the time of the accident.
A host of tributes from chefs and Fat Duck fans have been posted on Twitter. ‘So sorry to hear news of the loss of two talented chefs,’ tweeted Daniel Galmiche, executive chef of fellow Berkshire restaurant The Vineyard at Stockcross. ‘The thoughts of all [here] are with their families, Heston and his team.’
Raymond Blanc of the Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons said his ‘heart and my thoughts are with the families of the two young chefs from the Fat Duck & with Heston & the whole team at this tragic time’.
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According to an official Hong Kong Police report, the crash happened at 11:40am local time on Monday. A bus travelling downhill on Chai Wan Road appeared to lose control, hitting two private cars before crossing into the opposite traffic lane and ramming into a taxi and another bus.
Police said 56 people were injured. A 57-year-old bus driver was arrested for causing death by dangerous driving and was released on bail.
The Fat Duck could not be immediately contacted.
Written by Chris Mercer
Chris Mercer is a Bristol-based freelance editor and journalist who spent nearly four years as digital editor of Decanter.com, having previously been Decanter’s news editor across online and print.
He has written about, and reported on, the wine and food sectors for more than 10 years for both consumer and trade media.
Chris first became interested in the wine world while living in Languedoc-Roussillon after completing a journalism Masters in the UK. These days, his love of wine commonly tests his budgeting skills.
Beyond wine, Chris also has an MSc in food policy and has a particular interest in sustainability issues. He has also been a food judge at the UK’s Great Taste Awards.