Beloved Byron Bay restaurateur Kim Stephen remembered for his creative spark
Byron Bay’s tight-knit hospitality community is grieving the sudden loss of much-loved restaurateur and creative force Kim Stephen, who has died aged 40.
Stephen was the creative director and co-founder of Arcade Agency Hospitality, the group behind 10 venues around Australia, including the acclaimed modern Asian restaurant brand Light Years. He leaves behind his partner, Peta Van De Velde, and their 18-month-old son, Sebastian.
Together with business partners James Sutherland and Robbie Oijvall, Stephen opened the first Light Years in Byron Bay in 2017. The colourful, contemporary diner quickly became a local favourite and a go-to for visitors, helping shape Byron’s modern dining scene.
Off the back of that success, the team rolled out four more Light Years venues in Newcastle, Noosa, Burleigh and Perth. The brand has picked up multiple design and hospitality accolades along the way, including a shortlist spot in the 2023 Australian Interior Design Awards’ Hospitality Design category.
Arcade Agency shared news of Stephen’s passing in an emotional statement on Instagram.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of one of our founding owners and Creative Director, Kim Stephen,” the restaurant group wrote in a post on Instagram on Thursday.
“Today we pay 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.
“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 unmistakeable magic he brought to this world.”
In her own tribute, Van De Velde remembered Stephen as both her life partner and business partner, and used the moment to urge men struggling in silence to reach out for support.
“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, alongside a photo of their young family.
“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.”
Tributes have flowed from across Byron Bay, including from the Hemsworth family and fellow restaurateur Antony Catalano.
Jonathan Jackson, 1st December 2025
