Tributes paid to renowned chef and restaurateur

Hundreds of people have paid tribute to a renowned chef and restaurateur who has died of a long-term illness.

Richard Hughes, 63, chef-director at Norwich's Assembly House, died at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on Sunday, his family said.

In a statement, they said: "Our hearts are broken and we know so many of yours will be, too."

In a message written shortly before he died, Mr Hughes said he had enjoyed "bringing glamour into people's lives" and working with his "very favourite people", adding: "What a privilege. I’ve been an incredibly lucky boy.”

In a statement, his wife Stacia Briggs said: "The Assembly House is overwhelmed by the thousands of messages they have received today.

"Richard’s influence spreads through kitchens across the world through the hundreds of chefs he mentored.

"We are so very proud of his work and the kind, funny, generous man he was."

The chef's career began in the kitchen of Great Yarmouth's Imperial Hotel, where he started as a pot-washer, aged 15, before training for six years to become its head chef.

After leaving Yarmouth to work at Michelin-starred The Rookery in Cheshire, Mr Hughes returned to Norfolk and opened his first restaurant, Number 24, in Wymondham in 1991.

In 2002, with first wife Sue, he opened The Lavender House at Brundall to national acclaim, and founded the Richard Hughes Cookery School, later winning the inaugural British Cookery School of the Year award.

He also taught at City College Norwich's Hotel School.

In 2009 he took on the lease at the Assembly House with his business partner, Iain Wilson.

Unwell for the past four years, Mr Hughes had been been receiving active treatment for more than 18 months. His last shift in the kitchen was in December 2023.

In his message to staff and customers, he said: “It’s been my life, and the sadness for me is that I’ve lost that. I love it so much.

“But of course, it’s not just about the food, it never has been.

"It’s the joy of giving, of looking after people... bringing glamour into people’s lives.

“And it’s working with my family, my very best friends, my very favourite people.

"What a privilege. I’ve been an incredibly lucky boy.”

He is survived by Ms Briggs, daughters Alison and Stacey, grandsons Isaac, Miles and Bennett, brothers David and Phillip and stepchildren Ruby and Cole.

The family statement added: "Thank you, Chef. We love you. Our ringmaster may have left the tent but the show goes on in his name."

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