DiningBuzz! - Farewell, Floyd! Fab, First Foodie




BiziBB
Sep 15, 09, 11:03 pm
While Australia's a long way from his home, Aussies and I am sure a lot of international FTers would salute Keith Floyd's work as the original celeb chef and media 'foodie'.

Famously flamboyantly good-living, he was a fun character who deserves a gong for paving the way for so many after him.

I remember some of his work from the 80s and wanted to share this story and tribute. Sadly, he passed away before seeing a documentary on his life's work and the launch of his memoir.

Floyd's fatal feast: dead after 'all-clear' (http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/floyds-fatal-feast--dead-after-allclear-20090916-fqtl.html)[SMH]
Keith Floyd ...had been for a characteristically flamboyant champagne lunch at his friend Mark Hix's restaurant to celebrate and to mark his girlfriend's birthday, and told friends he was feeling better than he had in years.

Later the couple were to watch a television documentary about his 25 years in the public eye.

...Floyd, who appeared in 23 television series, usually with a glass of wine in hand, and wrote 19 books, had been told on Monday morning that he was clear of the bowel cancer diagnosed in June

..."He went to lunch with Celia to celebrate and to have a glass of champagne to mark her birthday. He said he had not felt this good in years which was why the heart attack was so unexpected."
.
Raymond Blanc said: "In his own characteristic way, Floyd was a genius." Floyd, a journalist and army officer before going into restaurants, was divorced four times, and bankrupted twice. He had a stroke in 2002 and was convicted of drink driving in 2004.

In his own words a recipe for living
"Food is life, life is food. If you don't like my approach you are welcome to go to McDonalds."


Lots more tributes and his final feast in that story.

A foodie trailblazer who will be missed. :(


LapLap
Sep 16, 09, 7:51 am
It seems bittersweet that I got to watch that very same documentary on Monday that Floyd was getting ready to watch when his heart failed. Couldn't help feeling that he wasn't long for this world once it was over.

I've always really enjoyed Floyd's programs and will miss his contributions to the TV schedules. Still, unlike with so many other TV chefs, his cooking series (plural) don't date and are still vital and relevant on repeat viewings so I'm sure I will be enjoying those programs for many years to come.
Don't think there are many others who I can say the same about, their own faddy creations dating like lime acid flared trousers.

Floyd showed he had my heart when asked about the other celebrity chefs. He justified calling them c**ts by claiming that none of them could make a real paella.
He was absolutely right!

Hope he leaves a bottle or two of celestial ambrosia for me to try. Cheers!

vicarious_MR'er
Sep 19, 09, 5:22 pm
I'll raise a glass of Aquavit to poor Floyd. This is the first I've heard of his passing.
I LOVED his shows. I could name many favorite scenes in his series, but I think my favorites were from Floyd's Fjord Fiesta.
RIP, Floyd


TIMP
Sep 21, 09, 7:13 am
He truely was more than a TV celebrity chef. He was the trail blazer and trend setter. He will be truely and greatly missed.



SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0