Chef and farmer Saskia Beer, who followed her famous mother Maggie into the food industry, has died “unexpectedly yet peacefully” in her sleep.

Husband Petar Jercic, and parents Maggie and Colin and family, announced the sudden death of Saskia in posts on their Instagram pages on the weekend.

“It is with broken hearts we need to let you all know that Saskia, our beautiful, extraordinary daughter, sister, wife and mother died unexpectedly yet peacefully in her sleep on Friday night,” the post said.

“The business Saskia grew and loved will continue on with me, her loving husband. We ask for time and space as we grapple to come to terms with our loss and appreciate all the support we have been given.”

The mother of three trained as a chef and established her own free range and chemical free business in South Australia’s Barossa Valley.