EXCLUSIVE Head chef, 38, died suddenly in Cornwall beach bar

EXCLUSIVE Head chef, 38, died suddenly in UK’s ‘only bar on the beach’ on popular Cornwall seafront after collapsing in the walk-in chiller

• Matt Halford, 38, was found collapsed in the walk-in chiller of the Watering Hole 
• Matt worked in the bar – the UK’s only bar on a beach – since he was a teenager

The family of a head chef who died suddenly in one of Cornwall’s most popular beachside bars have paid tribute to a loving father, son, partner and brother.

Matt Halford, 38, was found collapsed in the walk-in chiller of the Watering Hole on Perranporth Beach shortly after 9am on Saturday.

Medics and lifeguards from the neighbouring RNLI station tried in vain to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious and the family stressed nobody was at fault.

Matt had worked in the Watering Hole – which is the UK’s only bar on a beach – since he was a teenager along with brothers Jason, 41, and Lee, 42 and dad Mick. Between them they clocked up over 100 years of service.

Matt Halford, 38, (pictured) was found collapsed in the walk-in chiller of the Watering Hole on Perranporth Beach

Matt Halford, 38, was found collapsed in the walk-in chiller of the Watering Hole (pictured) on Perranporth Beach 

Matt Halford pictured with his partner Becky

Mum Joanne Ballinger, 61, said: ‘This place is a family, they all hold onto each other. It’s very comforting at the moment because this isn’t what we expected.

‘Matthew was caring, he was a loving father, son and brother. He would put anybody first and help anybody he possibly could. He was a hard worker but he liked to play hard too.

‘He played for Cornwall at basketball. He was vivacious, full of life and you would always know when he was around because you would hear him.

‘We are still trying to process his loss. It doesn’t feel real and we haven’t heard anything about why so we are waiting for that.

‘He was on duty with his chef friend Max just putting a delivery away, Matt had gone out to the chiller. Then Max just thought he’s been gone a while and went to look for him and found him on his back in the chiller. Bob the owner tried to do CPR and everybody pulled together to bring defibrillators but it was just too late.

‘He was a fit and healthy man, he last went to the doctor in 2016. He didn’t smoke and had stopped drinking, he never took drugs, he was really fit and healthy.’

The bar was initially closed over the weekend but Joanne said the family insisted it was opened for Mother’s Day because Matt had been working hard to prepare meals.

Matt Halford, 38, was found collapsed in the walk-in chiller of the Watering Hole on Perranporth Beach shortly after 9am on Saturday

Tributes have been laid at the popular Cornish beach bar for head chef Matt, 38, following his death

She said: ‘It was very emotional for everybody, it was amazing and beautiful. The things the Watering Hole has done. My kids have been coming here since they were babies.

‘It is comforting that if it was going to happen anywhere it happened somewhere he loved and was happy.’

Matt leaves behind a partner Becky, 29, and three sons Jaden, 18, Harlyn, 16, and Mekhi, 14.

Jason said: ‘We all grew up here. Dad was working here before I was born and we grew up with mum working on the beach.

Family and friends have paid tribute to Matt, head chef at a popular beach bar in Cornwall

‘His children and partner are all in Perranporth. Jaden and Harlyn both help out in the kitchen. It is that much of a family here’

Brother Lee – who has taken over as head chef – added: ‘I want to do the best I can to make sure the effort he put into this place doesn’t go down the drain. We are all there for each other, not just our family but the Watering Hole family. It reaches so many people.

‘We’ve had people in Australia, Spain, USA who knew him. He has touched people around the world. Everybody has said how sorry they are.

‘He just touched a lot of people.’

Matt with his partner Becky. Friends and family have paid tribute to the head chef, who they say was a ‘loving father, son and brother’

Matt with his family last year, from left: Matt, mum Joanne, and brothers Jason and Lee

A tribute posted by the Watering Hole said: ‘With iconic legendary places that are larger than life like the watering hole, these places are made by iconic legendary characters & unfortunately we lost our MVP on Saturday.

‘We always thought the most feared day would be washing away for us, but how wrong were we. We lost the best dad, friend, brother & worker this place will ever see & it’s not easy saying this, but we will never find anyone like this again.

‘Matt had worked at the watering hole all of his life, with his brothers Lee & Jason & 3 sons who have been there all of their life. Along with their dad Mick aka Mad dog who was a character to say the least.

‘He was not just a huge part of the watering hole, he was the watering hole, the life & soul of everything that happened and would do anything for anyone.

A GoFundMe page set up by Matt’s son to help finish a home renovation project his dad started has already raised almost £1,400

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Matt’s family & friends as we know a lot of people are going to be hurting. The Watering hole family will stick together as that’s what he would want.

‘We love you mate & can’t quite believe what has happened. Perranporth has lost its best man & captain.’

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police had previously said: ‘Emergency services were called at around 9.30am to Perranporth Beach following reports of concern for the welfare of a man. The man, in his 30s, was confirmed deceased at the scene.

‘His next of kin have been informed. The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.’

Joanne said: ‘He was working for a living but unfortunately when you’re 38 years old you don’t think about death. If he’d had an ongoing health problem he very well might have but thinking about securing his family’s future was probably the last thing on his mind.’

A GoFundMe page set up by Matt’s oldest son Jaden to help finish a home renovation project his dad started has already raised almost £1,400.

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