Keith Floyd at Floyd's Brasserie in Phuket in 2008
It is a full year since British celebrity cook Keith Floyd, who had made Phuket his second home (after France) passed away.
He died on September 14th, 2009, while on a visit to Dorset in the UK. He was 65.
Keith Floyd became a household name in the UK in the 1980s, beginning with his first cooking series, ‘Floyd on Fish’.
His enthusiastic, flambouyant and often boisterous on-screen style revolutionized the cook-show format.
In an earlier interview, Keith Floyd clearly expressed his strong dislike for the term ‘celebrity chef’. “I am a cook, not a chef, he said.
All told, Keith floyd made 26 TV series and published as many accompanying books.
Keith Floyd’s final book published was Stirred But Not Shaken, which went on sale in October 2009.
With the intention of training up-coming chefs, Keith opened Floyd’s Brasserie at the Burasari Resort in Patong in 2007 and began settling permanently in Phuket.
Staff at the Burasari resort immediately came to love and admire the outspoken cook from Sommerset.
Between trips to the Phuket resort, Keith’s celebrity status kept him constantly on the move, performing stage shows around the UK and appearing in at least 120 commercials.
His wine-glass-in-hand presentation style meant British tabloid reports of his ‘bon vivant’ lifestyle were often “accuracy challenged”, he once said.
“Living in Phuket is so much easier. The people I work with at the brasserie are so attentive,” he said.
Floyd’s Brasserie has remained open for a year after his passing. The last Floyd’s sunday brunch taking place on September 5th, 2010.
Guests signed a book of remembrance at a memorial event held at Floyd’s Brasserie, where managers who knew Keith Floyd talked about their life-changng experiences with him.
“He transformed many of our stewards to cooks and sous chefs. His dream had always been to send our staff to France and England to work and train in the very best restaurants,” said Lily Udomkunnatum, managing director of Floyd’s Brasserie.
“He was a business partner, close friend, father figure and inspiration to so many. He will be sorely missed by us all,” she added.