The Rotorua hospitality community has been left reeling by the death of Eat Streat restaurateur John Knight.
Mr Knight, owner of the former Triple 1 Five and manager of CBK, died at home on Thursday.
Rotorua Restaurant Association president Sharon Wallace said people were in absolute shock and lost for words at the sudden loss of someone who contributed so much to hospitality in Rotorua.
Gretchen Livingstone, a long-time friend and colleague, said she had known Mr Knight for more than 30 years.
"He was an amazing man, amazing worker and an amazing father, who lived and breathed the hospitality industry - he's done a lot for hospitality in this town. He was a man of integrity and always concerned about others. He always put people before himself."