TV cook Maggie Beer reveals daughter Saskia died in her sleep

TV cook Maggie Beer with her daughter Saskia. Photo / via Instagram

Australian cook Maggie Beer says her family has been left "broken hearted" after her adult daughter, Saskia, died "unexpectedly yet peacefully" on Friday night. Saskia was 46.

Maggie shared the news of the mother-of-three's death on her official Instagram page on Sunday night.

"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.

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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. 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.

A post shared by Official Maggie Beer (@maggie_beer) on Feb 15, 2020 at 11:17pm PST

"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."

Chef Neil Perry commented: "No words xx".

"So so sorry for your loss. Sending you all my love and support in this difficult time," French-born chef Guillaume Brahimi said.

Fellow chef Kylie Kwong wrote: "Your beautiful, special, darling Sassy-girl … I am just so, so sad for all of you, I loved Sassy so much and hold you all very, very closely in my heart XXX."

Saskia Beer, the eldest of Maggie's two daughters, married Petar Jercic in April last year in South Australia's Barossa Valley.

"Thank you to everyone that made our country wedding beautiful, and to all those that sent their best wishes," they said in a post on Instagram at the time.

Mr Jercic shared a similar post to Maggie's tonight on his farmer, chef and caterer wife's page, Saskia Beer Farm Produce.

"It is with broken hearts we need to let you all know that Saskia, our beautiful, extraordinary daughter, sister, wife and mother died unexpectedly yet peacefully in her sleep on Friday night. The business Saskia grew and loved will continue on with me, her loving husband," Mr Jercic wrote.

"We ask for time and space as we grapple to come to terms with our loss and appreciate all the support we have been given."

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Less than a day remaining to get your bids in for Maggie's Bushfire Relief Fundraising Auction. Up for auction is a private 3 course lunch with wine for 6 guests hosted by Maggie in the beautiful Barossa Valley. After indulging in a wonderful seasonal lunch, guests will each receive a unique hamper abundant with Maggie Beer products and also a personalised copy of Maggie's Harvest cookbook. Don't miss the opportunity of this amazing experience; with all funds raised donated to the South Australia CWA Emergency Aid Fund where 100% of money will go to helping people affected by the recent bushfires. To bid now and for all details follow link in bio

A post shared by Official Maggie Beer (@maggie_beer) on Jan 26, 2020 at 11:56pm PST

The quality produce sourcing business was established in 1997, with Saskia "employing knowledge gained from her parents" Maggie and Colin, and carrying on her family's tradition.

"Saskia Beer grew up surrounded by the principles of good farming and honest cooking through mother Maggie's restaurant, The Pheasant Farm, and father Colin's game bird farming," her website states.

A post on the Adelaide Showground Farmers Market Facebook page on Sunday night read: "Vale dear Saskia".

"We have lost a dear member of our market, we must sadly share the news that Saskia Beer passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in her sleep on Friday," the post reads.

"The whole market community will miss her and we send our love and sympathy to her husband, children, parents and sister at this dreadful time.

"We know our market members and stallholders will do everything they can to support her husband Petar and the team at Saskia Beer Farm Produce as they try to imagine a future without their visionary founder."

Saskia is survived by her husband Petar, her three children, her sister Elli and their parents.