Peter Russell-Clarke started his career as a freelance cartoonist, working for the top advertising agencies in Australia and overseas. He was later employed as a food consultant and wrote for New Idea, Woman's Day and various other magazines, as well as producing his own cookbooks. Throughout his career Russell-Clarke has prepared meals by invitation for Governors and Premiers as well as cooking a Silver Jubilee dinner for Prince Charles. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Russell-Clarke became the first Australian television 'Celebrity Chef' with his program 'Come and Get It'. Televised in the early evenings as families were sitting down to dinner, the catchy theme song and simple, health conscious recipes became synonymous with the development of a uniquely Australian approach to cooking. Since retirement he has focused on his love of painting.
Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Gift of the artist 2005
Accession number: 2005.56
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Peter Russell-Clarke (age 69 in 2004)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.
Masters of fare: chefs, winemakers, providores celebrates men and women who have championed the unique culinary characteristics and produce of Australia, enriching our lives with new ideas and new flavours over the past forty years.
Explore portraiture and come face to face with Australian identity, history, culture, creativity and diversity.
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