Celebrated chef, and owner of Linger Longer, Walter Ultz, has died. According to Eyewitness News, the restaurateur committed suicide on Sunday evening. Tributes poured in on Twitter yesterday, for the chef who was something of an industry stalwart.

Walter, whose restaurant recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, received the Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award, in association with Paarl Media, at last year’s Eat Out awards.

"He really is an iconic culinary figure and a hero to many of us," Eat Out editor, Abigail Donnelly said on the occasion.

Abigail was greatly saddened to hear the news, after having spoken to him just a few weeks ago. "He shared his views about the new awards saying it was just what was needed and he was happy that Eat Out had made this move," she said.

Eat Out would like to offer their condolences to the family; his presence in the industry will be sorely missed.