Restaurant owner's 'spirit will live on in every dish'

Tributes have been paid to the co-founder of a restaurant based on Liverpool's waterfront.

Staff at Matou, a pan-Asian restaurant, said it was with "heavy hearts" that it was sharing the news of the passing of Danny Boon, "our co-owner and soul of our restaurant".

According to the Facebook post, the father-of-three and grandfather was a "leader, a friend and family".

A Matou spokesperson added: "He was here every day supporting the team and making sure everything was just right."

Co-owner of Matou, Billy Riley, said the 72-year-old was not only a valued business partner but a "great friend and a pleasure to work with", who was "instrumental" to its success.

He said Boon was "very intelligent" and had not only fitted out Matou when it opened in 2010 but had designed other restaurants across the UK.

"Matou wasn't just a job, it meant so much more to him and he gave it his all," added a spokesperson.

Staff at the restaurant said: "His spirit will live on in every dish served and every guest who walks through our doors."

The news prompted a flurry of tributes online for the restaurateur, who died on 13 April, with people describing him as a "gentleman" and a "legend".

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