How did Kerby Craig die? Celebrity chef's 'unexpected' death at 38 shocks community
Kerby Craig, Sydney chef and the founder of burger joint Ume Burger, has died at the age of 38. The restauranter reporyedly died on Thursday, June 9, days before the 10-year anniversary of the Japanese burger chain. Craig worked at Michelin-star restaurants in the UK and Canada before starting his own food joint.
The message from Ume Burger's official social media account reads, "With deep sorrow, we announce the unexpected passing of our founder, our dearest son and brother, mentor and friend, Kerby Craig. Words can barely express our grief. Today, as we celebrate his life well lived we also acknowledge the 10-year anniversary of the Ume brand established by Kerby in 2012 with a much-loved fine dining Japanese restaurant in Surry Hills."
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"Kerby strived to live out his passions and worked tirelessly to make Ume what it is today, bringing joy and fun to people through good food. He was driven and free-spirited, pursuing his goals with a determination very few people possess. From a young age, Kerby's independent nature revealed he would pave his own way through life, forging beautiful friendships and experiences along the way," it continues.
"At the age of 15, he left school and began working as an apprentice chef at Tetsuya Wakuda’s Rozelle restaurant, sparking a formidable career and life-long love of food and hospitality. He worked his way through the best restaurants in London, Canada, and Sydney to achieve what he set out to in his short life. There's no easy passage to great success in hospitality, as many will know. The long hours and hard work in Michelin star restaurants in the UK and hatted restaurants in Sydney took Kerby to his first great achievement of earning 6 consecutive hats at Koi, Woolwich," the message adds.
"Following his departure from Koi, he opened Ume and won his very own hat as both chef and owner. Kerby's devotion to cooking and business peaked through the creation of his pride and joy, Ume Burger. Through establishing Sydney's premier fast-casual Japanese burger restaurant, Kerby created a living legacy that tens of thousands of foodies have experienced and loved, and will continue to across two landmark venues with a future vision we hope to deliver on," it says.
"For friends and those who knew Kerby they knew him to be an outspoken, passionate, caring, loyal, and charismatic larrikin with a larger-than-life personality. For anyone who spent any time with Kerby, you walked away feeling full and happy. He loved Sydney hospitality, Japan, his sweet dog Bobby, his popcorn, snacks, and adored his family and friends. Kerby always found time for you, he had the biggest heart and an even greater laugh," the message recalls.
"In preparation for Ume's ten-year anniversary, Kerby expressed his gratitude for the support he had in building his life dream. He told us 'Ume is a success because of a team of people that have stuck by me. Success is not one person. That's why it's you plus me.' Treasured words from our loving son, a wonderful boss and mentor, an accomplished and brilliant man," the post further reveals.
"We extend our heartfelt thanks for your condolences. We express our gratitude to all who have supported Kerby in his journey and have supported his businesses. We respectfully request privacy at this difficult time. A proper tribute will be made in the coming weeks. The Ume restaurants will be open for business as usual, just as Kerby would have wanted. We are bereft. He was our everything. Our hearts are broken. Rest in peace," it concludes.
There are no other details about his death available, so it is unclear what the reason behind Craig's unexpected death was. As per Daily Mail, the 38-year-old successfully overturned an assault conviction in 2021 after he was found to have attacked his girlfriend in a "jealous rage." Craig's lawyers had cited the immense pressure of Covid and the economic downturn in contributing to the one-off offense.
He reportedly demanded his girlfriend turn over her phone and accused her of having an affair when she did not do so. As per the portal, Craig had "grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened self-harm" moments before allegedly attacking her. The conviction was overturned, but Craig was subject to a two-year community corrections order after the offense.