London food blogger Wilkes McDermid tweets ‘Final Message’ before rooftop fall death
Wilkes McDermid, a passionate London food critic, tweeted a ‘Final Message’ on his blog minutes before falling from the rooftop of Coq D’Argent restaurant on Sunday afternoon.
Wilkes McDermid, 39
In a post entitled “Final Message… thank you everyone…” McDermid expressed gratitude to his readers and fellow reviewers for contributing to London’s food culture minutes before he fell on Sunday, according to the Evening Standard.
Final Message... thank you everyone... http://t.co/mwNrp6sarB
— Wilkes McDermid (@wilkes888) February 8, 2015
A food critic to the end, McDermid revealed his final meal “a 400g Ribeye with a Donnington Cesear Salad, triple poked chips with lime pickle mayo side with a Coulston bassett stilton with pears and walnuts”.
In the post, McDermid said: “This is a message to thank you for being part of my last adventure in London. Alas, it is time to say goodbye. The reasons ‘why’ will be upsetting for some and very hard to accept for others, so this is addressed separately.”
Reflecting on his culinary experiences in London, he said: “I am not a journalist or a particularly eloquent writer. However I have enjoyed dabbling in a little text, even if it takes me longer than others to craft some readable prose.
“It has been great exploring the street food scene and watching it grow. As you know, food brings Londoners together, regardless of background everyone has to eat…and most want to eat well.”
London street food organisation KERB tweeted a tribute to McDermind.
So many thoughts and wishes for @wilkes888 and his family today. We hope the best for a dear and constant part of our world. XX
— KERB (@KERB_) February 9, 2015
The City of London Police is "not treating his death as suspicious".
The blogger signed off with a Dr Seuss quote, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened”.