One of Jamaica’s leading chefs and bon vivants Colin Hylton passed away earlier today.

Our Today understands that he succumbed to a heart attack. Hylton had heart problems in recent times.

A lifestyle guru, Hylton was a fine restaurateur, who was a tireless champion of Jamaican cuisine.

The founder of the restaurant, Guilt Trip, Hylton, explaining how he became a chef, once said: “I wanted to become a chef from the age of six but was discouraged from doing it. I’m actually an accountant by profession but I hated it. I’ve been around long enough to see the whole arc of changing attitudes towards chefs. We are now rock stars and we rule!”

“Colin was a man who had a discerning eye for style. His was an epicurean by nature. His home was a veritable eclectic art enclave which never failed to fascinate the senses. I have fond memories of sumptuous dinners there where Colin served up extraordinary fayre,” said Our Today‘s Al Edwards.

“The angels in heaven will certainly now know what Jamaican fine dining is all about.”

Explaining his approach to cuisine and cooking, he put it down to three words- “Irreverant, bold, layered”.

“Both you and your talent will be missed.”