Savoy-trained Hull chef Simon Rogers dies aged 43
Hull-based chef Simon Rogers, who trained at the Savoy in London and went on to run the Boars Nest Farmhouse restaurant in Hull, has died of pneumonia aged 43.
Rogers, who was married to Dina, reportedly began suffering from a cough six weeks ago, but his condition deteriorated and he passed away on 21 January. He is survived by Dina, two children from a previous marriage and two stepchildren. His funeral is set to take place at 3.30pm on Monday 1 February at Chanterlands Crematorium, West Hull.
Rogers qualified in catering at Hull College in 1990 and went on to work at the Savoy in London before taking a job with Anton Mosimann at Mosimann's in Belgravia, and then with Jean-Christophe Novelli at the Four Seasons hotel on London's Park Lane.
He also worked at former brasserie Prism in Leadenhall Street, and Harvey Nichols' Fifth Floor as senior sous chef, working with Simon Shaw of El Gato Negro.
Upon returning to East Yorkshire, Rogers was chef-manager at Harry's restaurant in Hessle, near Kingston upon Hull, before becoming head chef at the Portland hotel in Paragon Street. He became chef-patron of the Boar's Nest restaurant in 2004, but most recently worked at the Nancy Inn pub in Burton Pidsea near Hull, which is run by husband and wife team Neil and Dee Soper, according to local newspapers the http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-chef-Simon-Rogers-founded-Boars-Nest-dies/story-28609609-detail/story.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Hull Daily Mail.
He commented: "[Rogers] was the kind of guy who would do things his way only, but they'd always be the right way for him. He was just a great guy who would do anything for anyone."
He described the chef as extremely hard-working, recalling how he went back to help out at the Fifth Floor restaurant at Harvey Nichols despite the fact that he was opening his own restaurant, the Boars Nest Farmhouse, at the same time.
Booth, who will be leading the eulogy at Rogers' funeral, also requested that any chefs planning to attend might wear their kitchen whites as a sign of respect.
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