EXCLUSIVE - Haunting smile of world's best chef: Final photo shoot captures 'happy' genius hiding secret torment just days before he shot himself dead with a rifle

Dressed proudly in his Menco Svizra khaki hunting attire, the world’s greatest chef Benoit Violier smiles hauntingly for the camera.

Just four days after these photos were taken, the three Michelin-starred food ‘genius’ was found dead, with his hunting rifle by his side, in an apparent suicide.

These chilling images, obtained by MailOnline, and taken in the kitchen of his world-famous Restaurant de l'hôtel de Ville in Crissier, Switzerland, offer a glimpse into the world of a man who appeared ‘happy’ and ‘upbeat’ – yet must have been battling some secret torment.

Genius: Benoit Violier pictured just four days before he was found dead at his Swiss home. A journalist who interviewed him for last time said he appeared 'happy' and 'upbeat'

'Jovial': Mr Violier, 44, a father of four, whose restaurant in Crissier, Switzerland, was awarded three michelin stars, was 'friendly, pragmatic, happy', the journalist told MailOnline

Smiling: The good 'genius' with his wife Brigitte, with whom he said he ran the 'best restaurant in the world', days before he was found dead at their home with a hunting rifle by his side

One of the last people to see Violier alive, journalist Elvire Von Bardeleben told MailOnline: 'The announcement of the suicide of a brilliant young chef is always shocking. After such an upbeat meeting it was staggering.

'No cloud was hanging over the head of Violier and he seemed protected from a burnout by the cocoon he had created: the walls of the restaurant belonged to him, he was working with his wife and they had a 12-year-old son.'

Elvire told how the 44-year-old father of one, who doted on wife Brigitte and their son Romain, greeted her at 9.30am on Thursday in the smoking room of his restaurant in a ‘jovial mood’.

Referring to his restaurant's less than glamorous setting in a semi-industrial zone near a motorway exit, he joked: 'Frédy Girardet [head of the restaurant from 1965 to 1997] always told me: "You know, people do not come for the sea view."'

He said he was proud that the restaurant was rightly reputed for its standard of cuisine rather than glamour.

He said: 'It’s the only place where Sharon Stone can come without a bodyguard.' 

The interview was in honour of Violier having been named as the best chef in the world by La Liste.

Success: The interview and photo shoot was being held to honour Benoit Violier, who had been named the best chef in the world. He however claimed that such awards did not matter to him

Family man: The 44-year-old father of one is said to have doted on wife Brigitte and their son Romain. He and his wife took over the running of the restaurant in 2012

But such awards, he claimed, did not matter to him. He said: 'It’s all about clients coming back.'

Such was his personal disdain for awards and the star system around which the world of haute cuisine revolves, that he made little play of his victories on his restaurant's website.

Instead he preferred to highlight the triumphs of his staff, saying that 'in a year and a half they entered 13 competitions and won them all'.

He claimed not to have heard of La Liste - set up by the French department of foreign affairs as a counterweight to the British-based World's 50 Best Restaurants guide - until the news agency AFP contacted him to tell him he was top of the ranking.

'I didn't want to go to the prize-giving ceremony, I had planned to change my menu that day,' he recounted, amused, before concluding, 'You must do what you love. I love seeing my clients, being in the restaurant. 

'I love my tour of the room. What matters is that clients come back.'

When he was complimented on his success, he replied: 'Let's hope it lasts. You always have to stay focused.'

When asked if he would ever tire of Switzerland, his adopted-homeland, he laughed and said: 'You can’t get bored with the seasons. I enjoy the country life, where I walk my dog in the afternoon in the woods.'

Pride: Benoit said he was proud the restaurant was reputed for its standard of cuisine rather than glamour

Tributes: Flowers have been placed at the entrance to Restaurant de l'hôtel de Ville in Crissier, Switzerland

French-born Violier had obtained Swiss nationality and had no plans to return to France, where both he and his wife were born.

He said he returned home twice a year - in the winter to go hunting, with his brothers, and in summer for a holiday.

Recently, he had become interested in wildlife photography and had not ruled out swapping hunting for photography.

'It's a normal evolution in the life of a hunter. It’s a contradiction to hunt what you love,' he said.

He enjoyed imparting his knowledge and in the future saw himself giving lessons, saying that taste is 'learnt’.

'The celebrity-input into our profession goes too far. The television makes kids believe that in three months they will be a star. Being a cook it takes a whole lifetime.'

The interview came just days before the star chef was found dead at his home on Sunday.

Although 2015 was a year to celebrate career triumphs, both Violier's father, who had Alzheimer's disease, and his 'second father' and mentor, Philippe Rochat, died.

In an interview with the Swiss Magazine L'illustré in September, Violier described his heartache of losing two important men in his life.

'[My father] died on April 8, three months to the day before Mr Rochat,' he explained. 'Within weeks, I lost my two fathers.'

Family: Benoit Violier is survived by his wife Brigitte (pictured) and their son Romain, who is just 12 years old

Pierre-Marcel Favre, who spent six years working with Violier on an encyclopaedia devoted to game birds, said his friend was 'in control, relaxed, serious, with lots of ongoing projects, appointments. No one understands'.

Known as a keen hunter, game was a mainstay in Violier's signature dishes and he was known for using local, seasonal products.

The youngest of seven children, Violier grew up in rural Charente-Maritime. His parents were winegrowers. His mother came from a family of oyster farmers.

He spoke of 'a great childhood' marked by 'the two big events of the year - the opening of the hunting and fishing seasons'.

But in his final interview he also recounted how he almost lost his life when a bottle of sparkling wine exploded in his face. He pointed to the scar on his face to prove it.

He remembered fondly past mentors, in particular Frédy Girardet who was in control of the restaurant when he arrived as a trainee chef.

'You practically excused yourself as you presented him a plate,' Frédy said: 'You know what you need to change?’

'We trembled as we answered: "No". And he answered: "Nothing". And then he would put a friendly hand on your cheek.'

This kindness, Violier wanted to emulate. 

He said he enjoyed showing visitors around and presenting his team, including his wife Brigitte.

He said: 'Frédy Girardet surprised me by his respect for his colleagues, whom he called by their first name. I try to preserve it.'

Girardet was replaced by his deputy, Philippe Rochat who died last year.

Violier considered Rochat, who died tragically last year in a biking accident, as a second father. He succeeded Rochat in the restaurant in 2012.

Pierre Keller, president of the Office des Vins Vaudois, said: 'He was amazing, always cheerful, always pleasant, always willing to help. I saw him 10 days ago in Davos for a drink. Nothing hinted at this tragedy.

Gong: Restaurant de l'Hotel de Ville was named the best of 1,000 top eateries across 48 countries ranked by France's 'La Liste'

'Right now, I think of Brigitte, his wife with whom he worked, and his son.'

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said late Monday that his death was a major loss for the country.

'We lose with Benoit Violier an eminent ambassador for French taste and know-how,' he said.

Fellow chef Christian Le Squer, awarded a third Michelin star earlier Monday for his restaurant in Paris' George V hotel, said he was in no mood to celebrate.

'The whole gastronomic world is in tears because we lost a great colleague and friend,' he said.