Doctors expect Maggie Beer to make a “full recovery” after the Australian cook, author and TV presenter had a fall in her home.
The 79-year-old, who is based in the Barossa Valley in South Australia, sustained “a couple of minor fractures and related injuries”, according to a post on her social media account.
“Thankfully Col, her husband, was there and she is now in the excellent hands of her doctors who are confident she will make a full recovery.”
The Order of Australia recipient will miss upcoming events and public engagements as she recovers.
“She has asked us to apologise on her behalf to all those affected – and has asked for your patience as she recuperates,” the post read.
Celebrity chefs and food writers took to social media to send their well-wishes.
“Sending you all our love and healing energy beautiful Maggie, take care of yourself Col and Ellie, we are all here supporting you,” wrote Australian chef Kylie Kwong.
“Look after yourself Maggie you are loved by so many people an inspiration, take time to heal,” wrote Peter Gilmore, executive chef of Sydney’s Quay and Bennelong, while the UK’s Nigella Lawson wrote: “Sending all my love.”
Beer grew up in Sydney’s western suburbs before moving to South Australia’s Barossa Valley in the 1970s with her husband, Colin. She rose to prominence with her restaurant, Pheasant Farm, which was awarded Gourmet Traveller’s restaurant of the year in 1991, and for co-hosting 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 as a regular guest on seasons of MasterChef Australia.
Away from television screens, the former senior Australian of the year has also established a successful culinary empire including her own line of gourmet food products; a cafe and farm stay at her Barossa Valley property; and a slew of cookbooks.
In 2014 she established the Maggie Beer Foundation, which advocates for improving the quality of food served in Australian aged care homes.
Beer was recently the presenter of Maggie Beer’s Big Mission, a three-part ABC series which followed a four-month experiment to enhance the food and dining experience for residents in a Perth aged care facility.