Source : Perth Now news
A much-loved Australian-based chef holidaying in Bali has been killed in a devastating motorcycle crash.
Davide Vulpis was travelling with friends and embracing the island lifestyle when tragedy struck this week.
Originally from Terlizzi in Italy, Vulpis had been living in Sydney for a year, working at popular Italian restaurant Cibaria at the Manly Pacific Hotel on the northern beaches.
Before moving to Australia, he worked in Ibiza as head chef at Aparthotel Playasol Mogambo and also as a private caterer.
His most recent Instagram post showed him plating a steak dish and inspecting fresh seafood in the Cibaria kitchen. “Chef life,” he wrote.
Other recent posts captured him enjoying Circular Quay’s iconic harbour views and travelling in Thailand.
In the wake of his death, his family launched a fundraiser to help cover cremation, legal and administrative costs and the return of his ashes to Italy.
“He was travelling with a group of friends, enjoying life and making memories, when a sudden and devastating crash took his life,” brother Christian wrote.
“Our family is heartbroken and still trying to process this unimaginable loss.
“Bringing him home is incredibly important to us. We want to give him the dignity, love and farewell he deserves, surrounded by the people who love him most.
“Any contribution, no matter the amount, will help ease the financial pressure during this painful time.”
The fundraiser reached its $12,000 target within hours and was paused.
“I honestly don’t have the words to thank every single one of you for the love, support and generosity you’ve shown me and my family,” Christian wrote.
“What you’ve done means more than you can imagine, and we will be forever grateful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Sending love and a big hug to you all.”
Friends have since shared tributes to the much-loved chef.
“As teachers, we’re prepared to let our students go when they graduate or move on to something better but never like this, in the blink of an eye,” one wrote.
“I’ll miss your beautiful energy every day, your travel stories, your insightful questions, and the 10 cups of coffee you drank in class.”
Another friend described him as “discreet but powerful, silent but full of love”.
“You have been a wonderful uncle to our children, a soul brother to my husband and a sincere partner in crime to me,” she said.
“Our best man on the most beautiful day, and our support in the most difficult ones.
“We’ll miss everything about you — your smile, your words, and the silences that spoke.”
