Belgian barbecue pioneer and television chef Peter De Clercq has died at the age of 56. HBVL reported that the grillmaster was found lifeless in his Knokke-Heist apartment on Tuesday afternoon, November 3, 2026, as authorities prepare to conduct an autopsy.
Autopsy Scheduled to Determine Cause of Death After Fire Master Found Dead in Apartment
- The Event: Peter De Clercq, aged 56, was found dead in his Knokke-Heist apartment on Tuesday afternoon, November 3, 2026.
- The Legacy: Known as a “fire master,” he founded Restaurant Elckerlijc in 1990 and led the Belgian team to victory at the 2003 World Barbecue Championship in Jamaica.
- The Next Step: An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday to determine the circumstances of his passing, with family announcements regarding a final farewell to follow.
The Rise of a Culinary Fire Master in Maldegem
In 1990, he established Restaurant Elckerlijc in Maldegem, turning the family business into a renowned regional destination for gourmet barbecue. His career reached an international milestone in 2003 when he captained the Belgian team to a world championship win in Jamaica, an achievement that cemented his status across Flanders as a master of the grill.
Beyond his restaurant, De Clercq shared his expertise through multiple publications on barbecue techniques, including Basic Barbecue and Grillmasters, which he co-authored with Seppe Nobels. The pair also brought their culinary duel to television screens in the program Grillmasters, challenging amateur cooks to test their skills against professional standards.
Transition of Restaurant Elckerlijc and Recent Projects
While De Clercq’s name remained permanently linked to the founding of Elckerlijc, the day-to-day operations of the Maldegem establishment shifted in recent years. Management of the family business transitioned to his daughters and ex-wife, Annouk Van Landschoot, allowing De Clercq to pursue other culinary ventures. More recently, De Clercq began working at the restaurant Het Hart van Sluis located in the Zeeland village, a new venture he announced on Facebook in early October.
Following news of his sudden death on Tuesday afternoon, Restaurant Elckerlijc shared a heartfelt statement via Instagram. According to HBVL, the tribute acknowledged that although he had stepped away from the daily running of the restaurant in recent years, he remained an irreplaceable part of its history.
Unanswered Questions Ahead of Wednesday Autopsy
The circumstances surrounding De Clercq’s unexpected death remain entirely unknown. Local authorities have scheduled an autopsy for Wednesday to establish the exact cause of passing. Meanwhile, the family has asked the public to share fond memories of the chef while withholding details about memorial services until official arrangements are confirmed. Van zodra er meer duidelijkheid is over het afscheid, laten we graag weten wanneer er nog een moment zal zijn om Peter een laatste groet te brengen,
the family stated.
