Chef Benoit Violier found dead

Swiss chef Benoit Violier, whose restaurant was named the best in the world in December, has been found dead at his home.

French Swiss Chef Benoit Violier of the restaurant Hotel de Ville in Crissier, Switzerland, poses with his trophy for the best restaurant of the World during the award ceremony of "La Liste" (The List) at the French Foreign Ministry in Paris. Source: AAP

Three-star chef Benoit Violier, whose restaurant near Lausanne recently topped a list of the world's best, has been found dead. He was 44.

Violier was found dead in his home late Sunday afternoon in the municipality of Crissier, police said in a statement.

An investigation has been opened to determine the exact circumstances of the death.

Violier's establishment, the Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville in Crissier, served dishes such as saddle of Pyrenean young lamb and crispy Landes duck foie gras.

Last year it was ranked first on a French government-sponsored list of the world's top 1000 restaurants.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.