Chef's widow reopens restaurant after his death

Following chef Benoit Violier’s death and apparent suicide, his wife has reopened the Michelin awarded Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville Crissier on Tuesday this week, reports Agence France-Presse.

According to the French media outlet, Violier’s widow is said to have gathered staff at the restaurant on Monday, for a motivational talk, and to tell them that the restaurant would go on and operate as normal.

The restaurant is also said to have contacted guests that had made reservations in advance.

According to Swiss newspaper 24 Hours, one diner at Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville Crissier said: "I reserved a table quite a while ago for Tuesday lunchtime.

“They called me and explained that Madame Violier wanted the restaurant to keep going and asked me if I would be there to support them. I found that very courageous.”

Brigitte Violier had run the restaurant together with her husband chef Benoit for four years.

Ahead of chef Benoit Violier’s death, his Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville Crissier had earned three Michelin stars, which it retained in the latest Swiss guide, released in October 2015. The restaurant had also been ranked as best in the world in La Liste, released two months before Violier's death.

World media have speculated as to whether Violier’s death is linked to his reported disdain for the star system. However, others have pointed out that Violier’s restaurant had suffered no financial issues of late. The chef is also thought to have been deeply affected by the death of his mentor Philippe Rochat six months early in 2015.