Casamia's Jonray Sanchez-Iglesias dies following cancer battle
Jonray, who ran Bristol restaurant Casamia with brother Peter, had been living with Melanoma cancer for four years, but his family said his strength and bravery during the course of his treatment was 'unbelievable'.
"No matter what challenges he faced Jonray would always fight back. Even after undergoing numerous surgeries and making countless visits to the oncology unit he was determined to head straight back to his team and guests, just to hear the words, 'Check on Chief'.
"His colleagues and customers would never have known what he was going through and that is the way he wanted it. He always put on a brave face and seldom complained during the four years since his diagnosis," his family said in a statement.
Jonray's illness was never a barrier to success. Last year he and Peter were named the Good Food Guide's Chefs of the Year and Casamia figured in the top 20 of the National Restaurant Awards earlier this year.
Jonray's talent was most recently recognised in the announcement made in the Sunday Times yesterday, naming Casamia as the fourth best restaurant in the UK, which came just two days after his death.
His family said: "At the age of 32, Jonray achieved more than many of us could dream of accomplishing in a lifetime, not just throughout his incredible career as an extremely talented chef, but also in his personal life as a devoted husband and loving father of two beautiful girls, Olive and Bella."
"This accolade is a testament to Jonray’s dedication to our restaurant and industry over the years, an industry that he loved so much and considered himself lucky to be a part of.
"We hope Jonray’s last words to his mum will inspire people and his memory will live on through his remarkable life story: “Life gives you a gift every day and you have to use it as best as you can as it won't last forever. Love you loads and so proud and happy that you are my mum”. These words will stay with us and remind us to live as Jonray did, making the most of every second.
"We would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support we have received over the last couple of days; it has really helped us to get through this difficult time.
"Jonray, your incredible wife and daughters, loving family and multitude of friends, colleagues and peers are going to miss you and we will continue to make you proud every day."
