Legendary chef who mentored Marco Pierre-White dies aged 89, sparking tribute to a ‘true gastronomic leader’.

Tributes have been paid to legendary chef Nico Ladenis, Marco-Pierre White’s mentor, following his death at the age of 89.

The self-taught chef became the doyen of the kitchen when he won three Michelin stars at 90 Park Lane in the 1990s.

In 1973 he opened his first London restaurant Chez Nico in Dulwich, followed by Simply Nico in Pimlico in 1989.

But it was his third venue, Chez Nico at 90 Park Lane, that made him famous.

Ladenis, who was compared during his lifetime to fellow culinary legends Raymond Blanc and the Roux brothers, was dubbed the “field marshal of classical cuisine.”

Chef James Martin was among those who paid tribute to Mr Ladenis, calling him “one of the few true greats of the British food scene”.

Chef Paul Flynn described working under Ladenis for nine years and praised his mentor’s legacy

Ladenis began his career as a chef relatively late at the age of 37, having previously worked in the oil and gas industry.

He made history as the first self-taught chef to win three Michelin stars in the UK and was the first British Cypriot chef to win the award – an accolade considered the pinnacle of British gastronomy.

His two books, My Gastronomy in 1987 and Nico in 1996, have been described as part memoir and part “kitchen psychology.”

Celebrity chef Sat Bains described Ladenis as “a true gastronomic leader among chefs who inspired a generation”, while Tom Kerridge dubbed him “a true culinary hero”.