Chef Shifts from Upscale Dining to Hospice Eatery After the Passing of His Son
After the tragic passing of his 17-year-old son, Seb, British chef Jon Smith decided to leave his position in upscale restaurants. He redirected his efforts towards preparing meals for the hospice that cared for Seb during his last days after being diagnosed with leukemia.
Throughout his three-decade-long career, Smith has journeyed worldwide, run multiple restaurants, and had the privilege of cooking for Queen Elizabeth II. However, following his son’s death at St Catherine’s Hospice in Scarborough in 2022, he opted to channel his culinary talents into supporting those in need. He is now employed at Flavours Bistro, a restaurant within the hospice.
Reflecting on how his sorrow prompted a career change, Smith states, “You learn to live with it, but it undoubtedly alters your viewpoint.” He continues, “I required a reset, and this was it for me. You typically don’t get to do substantial good, so it’s immensely fulfilling.” Smith has expressed his desire to “bring that touch of warmth and solace through food when individuals need it the most.” He now prepares exquisite dishes from various global cuisines for hospice patients and their family members.
One of Smith’s patrons was Jimmy Hill, who succumbed to colon cancer at the hospice in August 2024. His daughter, Lynsey Marsden, remembers how Smith crafted iced caramel frappes to please Hill’s sweet cravings when he was unable to eat much. She shares, “His palate had transformed, and he couldn’t handle large servings, [but] he genuinely enjoyed it. It significantly impacted him, and I will always remember it.”
For Marsden and her mother, Flavours Bistro served as a soothing environment during a challenging period. “We were extremely upset,” she notes. “To have the opportunity to go somewhere you can feel ‘normal’ and engage with the public is truly wonderful.”
St Catherine’s relies on generating approximately £6.1 million (around $7.75 million) annually to offer end-of-life care for residents across North and East Yorkshire, both in the hospice and the surrounding community. Flavours Bistro is a venue where anyone can directly contribute to the hospice’s fundraising initiatives while savoring Smith’s culinary offerings. Explore the enticing menu of Flavours Bistro on Instagram.
**Flavours Bistro, Saint Catherine’s: [Website](https://www.saintcatherines.org.uk/flavours/) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/FlavoursScarborough/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/flavoursbistroscarborough/)**
*Sources: [Introducing Jon Smith – Head Chef at Flavours Bistro, launching this week at Saint Catherine’s](https://www.facebook.com/saintcatherineshospice/posts/906594131476081); [High-end chef turns hospice cook after son’s death](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq6y0n4d3lno)*
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