Doctors expect Maggie Beer to make a “full recovery” after the Australian chef, author and television presenter fell at home.
The 79-year-old, who lives in the Barossa Valley in South Australia, suffered “a few minor fractures and associated injuries,” according to a post on her social media account.
“Fortunately, her husband Col was there and she is now in the good hands of her doctors who are confident she will make a full recovery.”
During her recovery, the recipient of the Order of Australia will miss upcoming events and public appearances.
“She asked us to apologize on her behalf to everyone affected – and asked for patience during her recovery,” the post said.
Celebrity chefs and food critics sent their congratulations on social media.
“Sending you all our love and healing energy beautiful Maggie. Take care Col and Ellie, we are all here supporting you,” wrote Australian chef Kylie Kwong.
“Take care Maggie, you are loved by so many people and are an inspiration. Take time to heal,” wrote Peter Gilmore, head chef at Quay and Bennelong in Sydney, while Nigella Lawson from the UK wrote: “Sending you all my love.”
Beer grew up in Sydney’s western suburbs before moving to the Barossa Valley in South Australia with her husband Colin in the 1970s. She is best known for her restaurant Pheasant Farm, which was named Gourmet Traveller’s Restaurant of the Year in 1991, and as co-host of the cooking show The Cook and the Chef with Adelaide chef Simon Bryant, which ran from 2006 to 2009.
Beer is a former judge on The Great Australian Bake Off and has appeared regularly as a guest on several seasons of MasterChef Australia.
Away from the television screens, the former Australian Senior of the Year has also built a successful culinary empire, which includes her own line of delicatessen products, a cafe and farm on her Barossa Valley property, and a slew of cookbooks.
In 2014, she founded the Maggie Beer Foundation, which works to improve food quality in Australian retirement homes.
Beer recently hosted Maggie Beer’s Big Mission, a three-part ABC series that followed a four-month experiment to improve the food and dining experience for residents at a Perth aged care facility.
