The nation's top celebrity chefs have rallied behind Dame Alison Holst after it was revealed the "Godmother of New Zealand food" has been diagnosed with dementia.
The much-loved chef, 77, has hung up her apron for the final time, prompting the outpouring of praise from chefs.
Award-winning chef Michael van de Elzen, who grew up on Holst recipes, said while the end of a career is a major loss, her recipes will live on in kitchens.
A well-used 30-year-old copy of an Alison Holst cookbook sits on his mother's bookshelf.
His mother's cooking centred around Dutch recipes from her childhood so, if she needed to bake something Kiwi, she would turn to Holst.
"When she was asked to make a sponge cake she'd go straight to the Alison Holst cookbook.
Holst's retirement is an end of an era for cooking, he said.
"She is the godmother of New Zealand food."
Television cooking shows are now about drama, tears and arguments.
For Holst, the food was the most important component of cooking shows.
"We've lost the beauty of someone demonstrating their cooking in front of you."
Ex-MasterChef judge Simon Gault said Holst was not just a good cook, but also a warm and likeable person.
His mother also used to copy her recipes and he was sure they would live on in his household.
"She's an iconic chef and it's very sad news. She can rest assured her recipes will live on for years to come."
Holst signed off as a food columnist in her community Orewa paper last month after memory problems became too much.
The Holst family have asked for privacy at this time.
Simon Holst has written 27 best-selling books with his mother and the pair have built a successful cooking and kitchenware brand.
Her daughter, Dr Kirsten Holsten, is a senior clinician specialising in helping Alzheimer's patients in Manawatū.
Holst lives in Orewa with her husband. Her career began as a home science lecturer at the University of Otago.
The bestselling author has sold more than 3 million copies of her cookbooks.
She also regularly featured on television demonstrating her recipes. She is famous for her everyday recipes which appeal to both children and parents.
In 1987 Holst was made a CBE for Services to Home Science.
The Holst family have encouraged people to support the work of Alzheimer's Society and Age Concern.
Source: Sunday Star Times
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