Peter Russell-Clarke farewelled: chef-author, artist TV icon

Australian chef, author and illustrator, has died aged 89.
[Picture: Impressions/Getty]

A Man of Many Flavours and Colours

Australian chef, author, and artist Peter Russell-Clarke passed away peacefully on 4 July 2025, aged 89. He died in Melbourne, surrounded by his wife Jan and their children, Peter and Wendy. His passing marks the end of a rich and influential chapter in Australian food and media.

From Ballarat to National Beloved

Born in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1935, Peter's early life was marked by hardship. After his parents separated, he spent time in foster care and lived on the streets of Melbourne as a teenager-an experience that shaped his deep appreciation for food and self-reliance.

He began working at age 14 as a junior artist and became a political cartoonist for The Melbourne Herald. These early years laid the foundation for his quirky humour and visual flair, which later transitioned seamlessly into television and publishing.

Come and Get It: Australia's First TV Cooking Star

In the 1980s, Peter became a household name through his ABC show Come and Get It, which ran from 1983 to 1992 with nearly 900 episodes. With his vibrant red smock, cheeky grin, and catchphrases like "G'day!", "You beaut!", and "Where's the cheese?" he captured the hearts of Australian audiences.

He made cooking fun, accessible, and uniquely Australian. His five-minute segments aired just before popular programs like The Goodies or Inspector Gadget, becoming a beloved pre-dinner ritual.

Beyond the Kitchen: An Artist and Advocate

Peter was a multi-dimensional creative. Alongside his culinary fame, he maintained a 60-year art career, creating vibrant works that featured in exhibitions across Australia and overseas.

He once said: "Painting and cooking are the same - you're balancing colour, form, and texture.
Both are acts of joy."

He was also the official cook for the Prince of Wales's Silver Jubilee dinner in 1977, cooked for Australian prime ministers and premiers, and served as a spokesperson for the Victorian Egg Board, Australian Dairy Corporation, and Kraft Cheese. He authored more than 35 cookbooks and was appointed a United Nations Food Ambassador-all while staying true to his down-to-earth, larrikin persona.

Farm to Table Before It Was Trendy

Peter was ahead of his time in advocating for natural ingredients and efficient, no-waste cooking. His passion for sustainable eating came from lived experience-he began cooking by salvaging market scraps to survive.

His son recalled: "He'd go behind restaurants to see what food was being thrown out, study how they cooked, and then recreate his own versions. It began as survival. It became his life's purpose."

Remembering the Man Behind the Smile

Tributes have poured in from across Australia. Close friend Beverley Pinder described him as "a lovable larrikin artist and gentleman... a phenomenon, years ahead of his time." Fellow TV personality Derryn Hinch simply called him "the Egg Man" and "a likeable rogue."

Peter is survived by his beloved wife Jan, his children Peter and Wendy, and three grandchildren. But his legacy extends far beyond his family-it lives in the thousands of kitchens where his warmth, wit, and recipes inspired Australians to embrace the joy of cooking.