SYDNEY restaurateur, food consultant and artist Anders Ousback has been found dead in his home at scenic Wombarra, south of Sydney.

Ousback, 52, was widely acknowledged as one of Australia’s leading chefs. He was also known for his wicked sense of humour, extensive knowledge of the arts and urbane flair.

In recent years he became more reclusive, turning to pottery making at his coastal retreat. His regular shows at the Rex Irwin Gallery in Sydney were always a sell-out and greeted with critical acclaim.

Well-known Sydney restaurants in which he had either worked as a chef, owned or helped renovate included Berowra Waters, Dov, The Wharf, The Clock, the Art Gallery Cafe, The Summit and Bennelong.

One of his latest ventures was operating the pre-cooked meal business Margaret Fulton’s Kitchen.

“He was just great fun to be with,” said longtime friend Jane Fraser. “He was an amazing raconteur, a great bon vivant. He was really a very, very clever person and had a great capacity for friendship.

“When he showed his dark side he was not easy to be with, but those who knew him always stuck by him.”

Police were called to Ousback’s home on Saturday morning after receiving a message expressing concern about his welfare. They found his body. There were no suspicious circumstances.

Friends in the wine and restaurant industries were shocked to learn of his death.

Wine-maker Len Evans, a close friend of Ousback’s since employing the 18-year-old school leaver, said his former employee was “like a son in many ways”.

“He was a great chap to have working with you,” Mr Evans said. “He was an extraordinarily gifted man. He had a tremendous memory retention about food, wine, opera, stories. Anything he took up he did very well.”

Mr Evans said his friend would be “very badly missed by a lot of dear friends, who will not understand”.