Light Years Perth: Community heartbreak after Owner Kim Stephen dies suddenly

Perth’s modern Asian dining scene has been left in shock following the sudden death of Kim Stephen, co-founder and creative director of Arcade Agency Hospitality, aged 40.

Mr Stephen passed away leaving behind his fiancee, Peta Van De Velde, and their 18-month-old-son.

A co-founder and creative director of Arcade Agency Hospitality, which includes popular modern Asian diner Light Years among its stable of restaurants, Mr Stephen has been remembered as a creative genius.

The news comes just months after the opening of Light Year’s Perth location, the fifth in the popular chain that started in Byron Bay in 2017 and also has venues in Newcastle, Noosa, and Burleigh.

His devastated fiancee, Peta Van De Velde, has implored men “fighting battles the world can’t see” to ask for help.

“Kim was my partner in life and in business. We will carry on building the empire Kim started, honouring his legacy and his creative genius that shaped it,” she wrote in a tribute.

“Kim poured heart and brilliance into everything he touched. I was and always will be in awe of his beautiful mind and the way he saw the world.

“Our son will grow up knowing the depth of his father’s vision and the remarkable man behind it. And, to any man fighting battles the world can’t see, I implore you to find the courage to ask for help.”

Paying tribute, Ms Van De Velde described Mr Stephen as “my partner in life and in business” and vowed to carry on building the empire he started.

It comes after Light Years quickly became known for its innovative dining experiences and opened in Perth earlier this year in April.

The restaurant which is located in the historic Gordon Stephenson House is loved by many for it’s signature modern Asian flavours, vibrant cocktails and sleek styling.

Known by many as China, Mr Stephen, along with co-founders James Sutherland and Robbie Oijivall, opened their first Light Years restaurant in Byron Bay in 2017 and has since gone on to open four more: in Newcastle, Noosa, Burleigh and this year, Perth.

Revealing Mr Stephen’s passing in an Instagram post, Light Years paid tribute to “the man whose spirit and creativity defined so much of who we are”.

⁠“Kim was the magic, the imagination, the intuition and the spark behind everything we built. His ideas shaped our venues, our people and the experiences we share with our guests,” she wrote.⁠

⁠“He poured heart and brilliance into everything he touched, and as we move forward, we will carry on building his vision, honouring his legacy and the creative genius that shaped it.⁠⁠“Kim’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to our local community for the love, kindness and support shown during this time. Your care has meant more than words can express.⁠⁠“We are heartbroken to lose him, but forever grateful for the legacy he leaves and the unmistakable magic he brought to this world.”

The Byron Bay community and the restaurant industry have added their voices to the outpouring of love for Mr Stephen, including Leonie Hemsworth, mother of Hollywood stars Liam and Chris, who spoke of his other passion, music.

“Kim, known by most of us simply as China, was a beloved member of our Byron Bay community; kind, compassionate, generous, modest, all coupled with the sharpest and quickest wit,” she wrote.

“He was also a fantastic cook, a skilled cocktail maker and an incredibly innovative and successful restaurateur. Despite all of this, music remained his life’s passion.

“He was a brilliant DJ and many of our family’s celebrations and those of our Byron friends are memorable thanks to the music he provided.

“It was a joy to see him in his element, doing what he did best. Our dear friend China will always be remembered with love … and, thanks to him, the perfect soundtrack.”

Friend Andy Murphy paid tribute to his friend, with whom he said he was “thick as thieves” in the late 2000s.

“Those years were some of the best of my life. I was there when you got your first tattoo in Byron, and when I ended up getting my nose pierced. I even sacrificed my own driver’s licence for you… and somehow it all made perfect sense back then.

“Life took us in different directions — I started a family, you built a whole new one and created something special with Light Years — but the admiration never faded. You were loved by everyone who crossed your path, the kind of person who left places brighter and people better.

“China, you’ll be missed more than words can carry. Thanks for the memories, the chaos, the laughs, and those golden years none of us will ever forget. Rest easy brother.”

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

If you or someone you know needs help, phone SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).