Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes dies in Dubai   DUBAI – Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes has died in Dubai. He was 59. Rhodes’ family confirmed the news: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of beloved husband, father and brother, Gary Rhodes OBE. Gary passed away last evening, Tuesday 26th November 2019, at the age of 59, with his beloved wife Jennie by his side.” According to Dubai Police, Rhodes “died of natural causes”. There were no further details about the cause of death. November 30 update: Rhodes' cause of death revealed Meanwhile, his family called for privacy. "The family would like to thank everyone for their support and ask for privacy during this time." Friends in the industry took to social media to express their grief and offer tributes. “Extremely sad to know of Gary Rhodes sudden passing away. Had known this gem of a man for years and intact filmed with him just 4 days ago for his new TV series,” said chef Vineet Bhatia. In a since-deleted Instagram post, Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver claimed Rhodes died after a “tragic fall”. However, a statement from production company Rock Oyster Media and Goldfinch TV, which is working on his new series, said: "Gary was in the middle of filming a wonderful new series with Rock Oyster Media for ITV from his base in Dubai” when he was “taken ill very suddenly at home during a break in filming and died a short time afterwards”. There were no comments from the Rhodes family on his exact cause of death. Rhodes, a Michelin-star chef, ran successful restaurants at Dubai hotels Grosvenor House Dubai and Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa. He also curated the special menu of Vox Cinemas” Gold by Rhodes class, telling Expatmedia.net in a previous interview that he is excited to create a whole new menu for another theatre dining concept. He wouldn’t comment on his most favourite dish, but said that his favourite on the Gold by Rhodes menu was the eggplant bowl, describing it as “divine”. Rhodes, who was born in South London in 1960, had loved cooking ever since he was a teenager. He earned his first Michelin star at The Castle Hotel in Taunton at the age of 26. In 2004, he ventured overseas with the opening of a restaurant in Grenada. The year 2007 brought him to Dubai where he opened Rhodes Mezzanine at The Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai. In 2010, he opened Rhodes Twenty10 at Le Royal Meridien in Dubai. ICA/Expat MediaJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyJTJGJTJGcGFnZWFkMi5nb29nbGVzeW5kaWNhdGlvbi5jb20lMkZwYWdlYWQlMkZqcyUyRmFkc2J5Z29vZ2xlLmpzJTIyJTIwYXN5bmMlM0QlMjIlMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEElMjAlM0MlMjEtLSUyMGluLWFydGljbGUlMjBhZCUyMC0tJTNFJTBBJTIwJTNDaW5zJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJhZHNieWdvb2dsZSUyMiUyMHN0eWxlJTNEJTIyZGlzcGxheSUzQSUyMGJsb2NrJTNCJTIyJTIwZGF0YS1hZC1jbGllbnQlM0QlMjJjYS1wdWItNTAwNjI0MTU4MzU4MTg0OSUyMiUyMGRhdGEtYWQtc2xvdCUzRCUyMjg1MjYwOTM2MTElMjIlMjBkYXRhLWFkLWZvcm1hdCUzRCUyMmF1dG8lMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZpbnMlM0UlMEElM0NzY3JpcHQlM0UlMkYlMkYlMjAlM0MlMjElNUJDREFUQSU1QiUwQSUyOGFkc2J5Z29vZ2xlJTIwJTNEJTIwd2luZG93LmFkc2J5Z29vZ2xlJTIwJTdDJTdDJTIwJTVCJTVEJTI5LnB1c2glMjglN0IlN0QlMjklM0IlMEElMkYlMkYlMjAlNUQlNUQlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEE=