Chef Benoit Violier found dead months after Swiss restaurant named 'world's best' in French guide

Top French-Swiss chef Benoit Violier has been found dead at his home just months after his restaurant was named "world's best" in an exclusive ranking. 

PHOTO: Benoit Violier took over Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in 2012. (AFP: Marcel Gillieron)

Top French-Swiss chef Benoit Violier has been found dead at his home just months after his restaurant was named "world's best" in an exclusive ranking.

His Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in Crissier, Switzerland, boasts three Michelin stars.

Swiss police said it appeared the 44-year-old had taken his own life, but added they had opened an investigation into his death.

A police statement also said Mr Violier's family had asked for privacy "to be allowed to mourn in peace".

In December, France's La Liste gastronomic guide named his restaurant the best of 1,000 eateries across 48 nations.

Celebrating the win at the time, he said: "It's wonderful, it's exceptional for us. This ranking will only motivate our team more."

Born in France into a family of winemakers, Violier's career went from strength to strength over the years, and he was named chef of the year in 2013 by the influential Gault & Millau guide — second only to the Michelin guide among gourmets.

He was a keen hunter and game was a mainstay in his signature dishes.

He took over the reins at the restaurant with his wife Brigitte in 2012 following the retirement of his mentor Philippe Rochat, another towering figure in French cuisine. Mr Rochat died after falling ill while cycling last year.

Violier obtained Swiss nationality two years ago, according to Swiss daily Blick.

News of the chef's death sparked a wave of sadness among his contemporaries.

"My thoughts go out to Benoit Violier's family. Very sad news about an extremely talented chef," Michelin-starred French chef Pierre Gagnaire tweeted.

Paul Bocuse — dubbed the "Pope of French cuisine" — described Violier as a "great chef, great man, huge talent", while fellow star chef Jean Francois Piege, tweeted: "An immense chef, an immense sadness, thoughts go out to his family and his team."

Source: ABC News, 1^st February 2016