Tonight:
5°c
Gallery chef is killed in crash yards from home
Evening Standard 13 Mar 2008The head chef at one of London's leading restaurants has been killed in a motorcycle accident yards from his home.
Shaun Gilmore, 38, head chef at the National Dining Rooms at the National Gallery, was fatally injured when he lost control of his gold Honda ST 1,100 motorcycle as he returned home from work.
He had already recorded an episode of BBC's Celebrity Masterchef which was due to be aired in the summer and will now be dedicated to his memory.
Mr Gilmore was returning to his home in the village of South Wonston, Hampshire, when the accident happened. Police say he came off his bike, slid across the road and crashed into a kerb and road sign.
He was only 100 yards from the house he shared with his wife Susan and their nine-month-old son, Harry.
Ian Hoult, an executive at Hampshire County Council who lives nearby, was one of the first on the scene after hearing the crash and dialled 999 for an ambulance.
Mr Hoult said: "My wife Pauline came out with a blanket and felt for his pulse but there was none. There was nothing that could be done." Two ambulances arrived and Mr Gilmore was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are appealing for witnesses. They are puzzled by the absence of his dark full-faced helmet. Friends and family say he never rode without a helmet but it was not found at the crash scene despite a search of the area, including nearby gardens.
Mr Gilmore, who had lived in South Wonston for two years, commuted to work by train from Winchester stationtravelling between his home and the station by motorcycle.
He is believed to have left the station on the night of the crash at about
12.45am last Thursday.
Mr Gilmore worked at the Dorchester before being appointed head chef at Vong London in 1998 and Home No1 Leicester Square.
He then worked around the world and returned to London in 2005, joining theNational Dining Rooms in July last year as head chef. In October, Time Out magazine named the National Dining Rooms as Best British Restaurant.
His colleague and friend Yossi Edri said: "Shaun was not just a chef for me, but a close friend and mentor. He was a guy who listened to everyone - waitress or barman - and sorted our problems out.
"Now we are like a car without an engine. He is irreplaceable to me."
Reader views (5)
i feel absolutely distraught, İ worked with Shaun at Vong - The Berkeley Hotel in 1998. İ just googled his name to see what he was up to, and came accross his image and the tragic article. İ ride a motorbike myself and Shaun had a big influence on me regarding motorbikes. He even fixed the crash holder onto my bike because i couldnt do it myself. such a tragic end to a vibrant, down-to-earth man, may he rest in piece and my condolences to his family.
- Bahadir Potukoglu, istanbul, 23/05/2009 01:14
Report abuse
Having work with chef shaun for couple of months before the pre opening of the taj exotica based in mauritius,he was someone very dynamic ,good listener,good mentor ,and was always ready to sort any problem for his team,he once shared his goal with us,to become a 3 star michelin chef . It just seems so unfair that life has been too short and cruel resulted in costing him his life letting his dreams behind. He will be sorely missed. i just want to express my condolences to Shaun's wife and family.
- Yogesh Rambhujun, mauritius, 10/11/2008 18:04
Report abuse
After watching masterchef last night and seeing the ending credits, I cant imagine what Shauns family and friends are going through. It was only this morning when I googled his name I was linked to this article, Upon doing so I realised that Shaun was only 38 before his fatal accident (some 4 years younger than myself) although devastated his family must be extremely proud of his achievements. Shaun must also have had a passion for motorcycles as well as cookery, it just seems so unfair that this passion resulted in costing him his life. As Mr. Burgess states there must be someone out there with some information regarding the missing helmet, if so please step forward and contact the police.
Once again my sincere condolences to Shaun's family and close friends
- Ian Chambers, Wetherby - West Yorkshire, 11/07/2008 11:19
Report abuse
I just want to express my condolences to Shaun's wife and family. I have just watched Masterchef, so sad to hear of Shaun's untimely death.
Best regards.
- Sharon Elliott, London, 10/07/2008 21:05
Report abuse
Shaun was my closest friend for over 15 years. It is vital that the missing crash helmet is found. Also did anyone see him stopped on the Andover road somewhere around 00.30 on the 6th of March. There is no way that he would have ridden his bike without his helmet so if you have any information at all please phone the police. He was a good honest biker leaving behind a wife, a 9 month old son and 2 step children. He will be sorely missed. Please help solve the riddle of the missing helmet if you can. Thanks Andrew.
- Andrew Burgess, Winchester UK, 14/03/2008 10:09
Report abuse
