Who Is Peter Russell-Clarke? The Australian Chef Famous for His Swearing, Recipes and the Phrase 'Where's the Cheese?'

Peter Russell-Clarke passed away on 4 July, 2025 at the age of 89. He was Australia's first celebrity chef who extended his influence far beyond the kitchen.

He had a penchant for expression that was endeared by many. This was highlighted by his catchphrases 'G'day', 'Ripper', and 'you beauts.' He was an entertaining larrikin to watch with a habit of swearing that made him stand out from informational cooking shows.

From Foster Care to National Star

Peter Russell-Clarke was born on 19 September 1935 in Ballarat. He spent this period between the streets of Melbourne and under foster care. He then developed an appreciation for fine food and a variety of cuisines as a teenager.

At just 14, he began a career as a junior artist at an advertising agency. He then moved into freelance cartooning with a notable stint for The Herald. He was the creator of a comic strip called Ben Bowyang.

After this, he found himself as a food consultant for popular magazines, which included New Idea and Women's Day. He leveraged his experience here to write his own cookbooks.

In the mid-70s, he became a popular spokesperson and was a TV and radio presenter for the Australian Dairy Corporation. He also worked with companies like Kraft Cheese and the Australian Egg Board.

One of his career highlights was as chef for the Prince of Wales' Silver Jubilee Dinner in 1977. He was invited to cook for Australian prime ministers, Victorian premiers, and the Duke of Edinburgh as well.

He found fame through his catchy 'g'days,' which caught fire quickly. It was featured in the theme song of Come and Get It, a 1980s ABC cooking show.

The Rise of a TV Legend

Come and Get It ran from 1983 to 1992, with 900 episodes written and hosted by Russell-Clarke. His appearances made him one of Australia's pioneering TV celebrity chefs. One thing that stood out from him was his signature neckerchief.

He had a charming, bohemian style that made cooking feel more laid-back and achievable under just five minutes. He also introduced more efficient means of cooking healthy recipes and eating habits into the show.

Another notable thing was Peter Russell-Clarke's appearances via commercials. One of the most recognisable advertisements from the country was from the chef with his 'Where's The Cheese?' line.

Beyond the Kitchen

As mentioned, prior to his success in cooking, he worked as an artist. It was certainly more subtle, but he never left the field and worked as a commercial artist for 65 years.

His work has been featured in museums and has been auctioned and collected. Notably, Russell-Clarke was even commissioned for several pieces for the federal government.

For Russell-Clarke, the similarities between cooking and painting aren't that far off. He told the National Portrait Gallery that while painting 'you're mucking around with colour, form, texture, and shape. With cooking, you're doing the same thing.'

'Cooking is only supplying heat to food. The same as painting. Painting is supplying paint to a surface, whether it's a canvas or a piece of cardboard.'

Legacy and Impact

Peter Russell-Clarke has built his legacy on simplicity and creativity. His demystification of cooking has inspired his audience to do more with the cards they've drawn.

He passed away peacefully in Melbourne surrounded by his wife, Jan, and their children Peter and Wendy. His son holds his memory as a man of strong views with unwavering love for food and art.