Maggie Beer has made her first TV appearance since the tragic death of her 46-year-old daughter Saskia in February.
The celebrity chef, 75, joined Today Extra on Wednesday to discuss her new cooking tutorial series, which gained huge popularity during coronavirus lockdown.
‘I wanted to give something back to people who have been amazing to me,’ she said of the online series.
‘Believe you me, I thought it would go out to a few hundred people and get them involved, and it just went bananas!’ she enthused.
‘But it was never meant to be more than just sharing the things that I love when people were home so they could gather around and do it too,’ added Maggie.
Later in the interview, Maggie shared her joy at being able to re-open her South Australian restaurant, Farm Shop & Cafe, as the lockdown restrictions are lifted.
She’s back: Celebrity Chef Maggie Beer, 75, (left) has made her first TV appearance since the tragic death of her 46-year-old daughter Saskia (right) in February
‘Look, it’s fantastic to get back into business… our team have been so amazing’ the cook book author enthused.
Despite the lack of customers right now, Maggie said that ‘the energy and the commitment’ of her restaurant staff is ‘better than ever’.
It comes four months after Maggie announced the sudden passing of her 46-year-old daughter Saskia.
‘I wanted to give something back’: The cooking queen joined Today Extra on Wednesday to discuss her new cooking tutorial series, which gained huge popularity during coronavirus lockdown
‘It is with broken hearts we need to let you all know that our beautiful, extraordinary daughter Saskia died unexpectedly yet peacefully in her sleep on Friday night,’ she wrote on Instagram on February 16.
‘We ask for time/space as we grapple to come to terms with our loss and appreciate all the support we have been given. Maggie, Colin and family.’
Six days later, Maggie returned to Instagram to thank her family, friends and fans for their messages of support.
‘It’s fantastic to get back into business’: Later in the interview, Maggie shared her joy at being able to re-open her South Australian restaurant, Farm Shop & Cafe, as the lockdown restrictions are lifted
‘Dear family, friends, fans and followers, thank you,’ she wrote in an emotional Instagram post crafted by her team.
‘The overwhelming outpouring of sympathy and support for Maggie, Colin and family during this tragic time has been truly moving.
‘We thank everyone for continuing to respect the family’s privacy, and we will return to posting soon.’
Tragic: It comes four months after Maggie announced the sudden passing of her 46-year-old daughter Saskia (right)
The message was shared with a photo of Maggie and Saskia – who shared a mutual love of food – cooking in the kitchen together.
The post also stated that Maggie’s team had been keeping her lucrative business running while the family took time to mourn.
‘The team at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop and MBP kitchens are keeping things running perfectly for which we are truly grateful,’ it finished.
In addition to Saskia, Maggie also shares another daughter, Elli, with her husband of 50 years, Colin Beer.
”The overwhelming outpouring of sympathy and support for Maggie, Colin and family during this tragic time has been truly moving’: Six days later, Maggie returned to Instagram to thank her family, friends and fans for their messages of support. Pictured: Saskia and Maggie