Kerby Craig, Sydney chef and founder of burger shop Ume Burger, has died at the age of 38. The restaurant owner reportedly died on Thursday, June 9, days before the Japanese burger chain’s 10th anniversary. Craig worked in Michelin starred restaurants in the UK and Canada before starting his own food joint.
The message from Ume Burger’s official social media account reads: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our founder, dearest son and brother, mentor and friend, Kerby Craig. Words can hardly express our sadness. Today, as we celebrate the life well lived, we also celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ume brand, founded by Kerby in 2012, with a popular Japanese fine dining restaurant in Surry Hills.”
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“Kerby strove to live out his passions and worked tirelessly to make Ume what it is today by making people happy and having fun through good food. Driven and free-spirited, he pursued his goals with a determination few people possess. From a young age, Kerby’s independent nature showed that he would carve his own path through life, forging beautiful friendships and experiences along the way.
“He left school at the age of 15 and began working as an apprentice chef at Tetsuya Wakuda’s Rozelle restaurant, sparking an impressive career and lifelong love of food and hospitality. He worked his way through the finest restaurants in London, Canada, and Sydney to achieve what he set out to achieve in his short life.There is no easy road to great success in the hospitality industry, as many will know.The long hours and hard work in Michelin starred restaurants in the UK and in Hat restaurants in Sydney took Kerby there with his first major achievement, earning 6 consecutive hats at Koi, Woolwich,” the message added.
“After saying goodbye to Koi, he opened Ume and won his very own hat as a chef and owner. Kerby’s dedication to cooking and business culminated in the creation of his pride and joy, Ume Burger. By establishing Sydney’s first Japanese fast-casual burger restaurant, Kerby has created a living legacy that tens of thousands of foodies have experienced and loved and will continue it in two landmark locations with a vision for the future that we hope to be able to deliver on.” it in it.
“Friends and those who knew Kerby knew him as an outspoken, passionate, caring, loyal and charismatic Larrikin with a larger than life personality. Everyone who has spent time with Kerby has felt fulfilled and happy. He loved the hospitality of Sydney, Japan, his cute dog Bobby, his popcorn, his snacks, and his family and friends. Kerby always found time for you, he had the biggest heart and an even bigger laugh.”
“In preparation for Ume’s 10th anniversary, Kerby expressed his gratitude for the support he has had in building his lifelong dream. He told us, ‘Ume is a success because a team of people are sticking with me. Success is not one person ‘Therefore you plus me.’ Appreciated words from our loving son, a wonderful boss and mentor, an accomplished and brilliant man,” the post continued.
“We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your condolences. We thank everyone who has supported Kerby on his journey and his businesses. We respectfully ask for privacy at this difficult time. A proper tribute will follow in the coming weeks Ume’s restaurants will be open as usual, just as Kerby would have liked. We are deprived. He was our everything. Our hearts are broken. Rest in peace,” it concludes.
No further details about his death are available, so it’s unclear what caused Craig’s unexpected death. According to the Daily Mail, the 38-year-old successfully overturned an assault conviction in 2021 after it was discovered he had attacked his girlfriend in “jealous rage.” Craig’s lawyers had cited the immense pressure from Covid and the economic downturn to contribute to the one-off offence.
He reportedly asked his girlfriend to give up her phone and accused her of having an affair, although she didn’t. According to the portal, shortly before the alleged attack on her, Craig had “grabbed a kitchen knife and threatened to harm himself.” The conviction was vacated, but Craig was subjected to a two-year community correctional order following the offense.