'World's best chef' Benoit Violier found dead in apparent suicide

World renowned chef, Benoit Violier, whose Swiss restaurant was declared the best in the world last December has been found dead in his home in an apparent suicide.

The 44 year-old ran the three Michelin starred restaurant, Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in Crissier, near the city of Lausanne. A statement released by the Swiss police says Benoit's body was discovered in his home in Switzerland yesterday. The statement added that it appeared Benoit had shot himself with a firearm. An investigation into his death has been opened and his family have asked for some privacy at this difficult time. Benoit was awarded 'chef of the year 2013' by the gourmet guide, Gault Millau in 2012. In December his eatery, Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville, was named the world’s best restaurant by France’s La Liste which ranks the world's top 1,000 restaurants out of 48 countries. The gastronomic guide is the French foreign ministry’s answer to the UK's World’s 50 Best Restaurants. >>>Read more about La Liste here