A top chef who traveled the world cooking for music royalty including U2, Drake and the Spice Girls until the Covid lockdown put him out of work, has died suddenly aged 40 .
Lee Holland was described as “an absolute powerhouse of talent” by his colleagues at his Devon seafood restaurant, The Catch, where he worked before his death.
Mr Holland, originally from London, was the personal chef to pop stars including P!nk and Roger Waters before moving to Plymouth and creating one of the city’s favorite fine dining restaurants.
But yesterday staff made the shocking announcement that Mr Holland, trained by TV chef Rick Stein, had sadly passed away.
In a statement, The Catch said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our brilliant head chef, manager and driving force behind The Catch, Lee Holland.
Chef Lee Holland, 40, who cooked for music celebrities including U2, Drake and the Spice Girls, has died suddenly, his colleagues have announced.
Mr Holland (right) pulled off The Catch after relocating to Plymouth following a jet-setting career as a personal chef to the stars.
Lee Holland, originally from London, was the personal chef to pop stars such as the Spice Girls (pictured)
“Lee was a true wealth of talent, his culinary skills, extensive knowledge of seafood and ability to create menus that balanced flavors and artistic flair were pure genius.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time. The restaurant is closed at this time and we ask for privacy as our staff mourns the loss of a dear friend and colleague.
Mr Holland made the popular venue a success after resettling in Devon following a jet-setting career as a personal chef to some of the world’s biggest pop groups.
The successful chef was trained by Rick Stein in Padstow and worked for the TV chef for five years.
He then became a personal chef to music stars, a job that took him “to a different country every day,” although he was mostly only able to visit the interiors of hotels.
In 2022, The Catch, on Southside Street, at the Barbican, was named the best seafood establishment in Plymouth and all of Devon.
Colleagues have been left stunned after the sudden death of a top chef, who cooked for music celebrities including U2, Drake (pictured) and the Spice Girls.
Speaking to PlymouthLive last year, he said: “We were touring Europe and the world but it all fell apart during Covid.
“I started selling oysters in Hampstead Heath, but decided to leave London. I came across this (The Catch).’
In 2022, the jewel restaurant at the Barbican’s Southside Street was named the best seafood establishment in Plymouth and all of Devon.
It also topped the TripAdvisor list of restaurants in the city just six months after opening.
