Tribute paid to inspirational Margate chef and businesswoman Rachel Seed

Tributes paid after the sad death of Rachel Seed

Tributes have been paid to award-winning chef and co-founder of Margate’s GB Pizza Co, Rachel Seed.

Rachel lived a busy and inspirational life despite being diagnosed with a brain tumour 13 years ago.

Along with her partner, journalist Lisa Richards, she opened the Marine Drive restaurant in October 2012. It followed a successful Summer stint for the couple, along with Great Dane Henry, on the Harbour Arm.

A franchise followed with the opening of a GB Pizza in Didsbury.

The restaurant has been listed in the Good Food Guide every year since opening but Rachel and Lisa have probably been best known in Margate for their love of community, which saw them working with Turner Contemporary, giving away free pizzas to emergency services workers in the wake of the London terror attacks and standing with others to show the extremist White Lives Matter marchers in Margate that love will always overcome hate.

Lisa and Rachel

A tribute on the GB Pizza facebook says: “It is with a sadness too vast for mere words that we have to announce the loss of our founder, our mentor, our boss, our friend and GB Pizza’s inspiration, Rachel Seed. We are devastated and broken.

“She lived life to the full, despite being diagnosed with a brain tumour 13 years ago. She defied every prognosis thrown at her, and during that time she opened an award-winning gastropub, helped other restaurants change the direction of their business, spotted and trained talented young chefs, and, alongside Lisa Richards – her life and work partner – set up GB Pizza.

“We will be remembering and celebrating her incredible life on Tuesday 15th January.
Rest in power, Rachel.”