Home / Lifestyle / Byron Bay Chef's Legacy Lives On After Tragic Loss
Byron Bay Chef's Legacy Lives On After Tragic Loss
27 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Creative director of Light Years restaurant passed away unexpectedly.
- His fiancée urged men to seek help for unseen mental health battles.
- The restaurateur's venues received numerous design and hospitality awards.
Kim Stephen, the visionary co-founder and creative director of the popular Light Years restaurant chain, has tragically passed away at the age of 40. His unexpected death in November has sent ripples of grief through the hospitality industry and his local Byron Bay community.
Stephen was the imaginative spirit behind Light Years, a group of Asian bar and diners that have earned accolades for their design and culinary excellence. The first venue opened in Byron Bay in 2017, with subsequent successful expansions to Noosa, Newcastle, the Gold Coast, and Perth.
His fiancée, Peta Van De Velde, shared a heartfelt tribute, emphasizing Kim's brilliance and vision. She also issued a poignant plea, encouraging men struggling with unseen battles to find the courage to ask for help. Stephen's brother, Ry, a noted pastry chef, highlighted Kim's passion for global cuisines and exquisite presentation.
