Pioneering n TV chef Peter Russell-Clarke has died in Melbourne aged 89.
Russell-Clarke, who was the face of Coon cheese in television s during the early 1990s, passed away on Friday after suffering complications following a stroke.
He was surrounded by his beloved wife Jan and two children Peter and Wendy.
His close friend Beverley Pinder paid tribute to the TV chef, telling the Herald Sun on Sunday: ‘Peter Russell-Clarke was a phenomenon – years ahead of his time.’
‘His wife Jan was his backbone. A loveable, larrikin artist and gentleman of the art of relaxed cooking.’
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail’s new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
Pioneering n TV chef Peter Russell-Clarke has died in Melbourne aged 89
Jan, 91, and the late chef were married for 65 years.
In the wake of Peter’s death, former Victoria senator and media personality Derryn Hinch described him as ‘talented and a bit of a rogue’.
‘He was our first TV cook, he was the egg man,’ said Derryn of his longtime pal.
‘He taught me to put ground pepper on fresh strawberries, he wasn’t adverse to trying new things. He once cooked steak for Prince Charles — he was very talented.’
Russell-Clarke was best known for his ABC series Come and Get It which aired in the 1980s.
He became known for his catchphrase ‘G’day’ on the five-minute cooking program.
The chef has written and illustrated 25 cookbooks, including an encyclopaedia of food.
Russell-Clarke has cooked for Victoria’s State Premiers, the Prime Minister, the Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales’ Silver Jubilee dinner in .
Russell-Clarke, who was the face of Coon cheese in television s during the early 1990s, passed away on Friday after suffering complications following a stroke
A chef who always appealed to a family audience, Peter found himself at the centre of controversy in 2008 when an expletive-ridden ‘blooper reel’ surfaced on YouTube.
Speaking to nine.com.au in 2014, Russell-Clarke said that he believed the video had ‘cost him work’.
Peter was born in Ballarat in 1935, living between the homes of his excommunicated Anglican minister father and dressmaker mother, who is thought to have gained his Bohemian style from.
The iconic Aussie chef spent time in various foster homes and even lived with a Chinese family for a stint, where he discovered the rich flavours of Asian cuisine.