What Artists Eat

This is a recording of a live panel talk from North Gallery in Fitzroy presented by Food For Everyone.It was during Gem Leslie's exhibition called 'Pantry Study', where she visited and painted multicultural pantries around Melbourne.Our guests were Jaclyn Crupi - author of several books on food including PASTA LOVE and GARDEN LIKE A NONNO about her Italian pantry.Kira Hosking - creative consultant and recipe writer about her Japanese pantry, and food programmer Adriana Bradica Watson about her Croatian pantry.We talked about the migrant experience, living in multicultural Melbourne and the complexities of assimilation.We also spoke about how cooking can connect us to our ancestry and where to find the best Japanese, Italian, Croatian and Hungarian food in Melbourne.

Fred Mora of Long Prawn jokes that sometimes he’s the prawn’s head and sometimes, the tail. He’s not quite artist, not quite cook, somewhere in between.Fred and his creative collaborator Lauren Stephens are Long Prawn, a collective using food as a springboard to start conversations that traverse big ideas and observe parts of culture that have fallen out of focus. They have held various events and happenings over the past 8-10 years, working with chefs, artists, musicians and growers of food.Growing up, the energy at the Mora family table was theatrical, warm and chaotic. Yum cha every weekend was a solid ritual and cheekiness was a core value for some family members. Fred’s grandmother, (treasured artist Mirka Mora) was apparently treacherous at the dinner table, especially when dining out. She would demand dessert first, then steak.It makes sense then that Fred has pursued his own creative food interests. Tax Vinegar is a project he toiled away at for some time, with beginnings as curious experiments during one of Melbourne’s numerous pandemic lockdowns. He tells us that the breadth and depth that vinegar can add to your meal is huge - “it’s like turning the brightness up on your phone screen”.Fred’s recipe is mayonnaise and you can hear our genuine excitement in the interview -  we were so delighted by this as we had seen the film ‘Monsieur Mayonnaise’ by Fred’s uncle years ago and loved it.The film is the true story of Fred’s grandfather Georges during the French resistance. His spy name was Monsieur Mayonnaise, due to his rescuing and smuggling of children over borders using mayonnaise as his weapon. With artist Marcel Marceau, he discovered that if you could put enough mayonnaise on a baguette you would be able to hide documents in it and smuggle it past the gestapo. As the gestapo were fastidious about not getting their uniforms dirty, every time Georges passed a check point he was able to smuggle documents through. The trick was that there needed to be a certain amount of mayonnaise on the baguette - if you passed a certain threshold of it, the  guards wouldn’t bother to check it.You can find Fred's mayonnaise recipe on our website!Find us @whatartistseat on Instagram and our website www.whatartistseat.com.auSupport What Artists Eat on Patreon!Links to anything we chatted about: Long PrawnTax VinegarAustralian Food TimelineCollingwood institution RafflesStefanino Panino Ruthie Rogers and Rose Gray of River Cafe 

Jess Ribeiro is a lover of many things, including creation myths, deep sea creatures and fancy European service stations.Jess’ upbringing in a small country town, steeped in the energy of Chinese restaurant kitchens, provided a unique backdrop for her artistic and culinary evolution. Her Hong Kong-born father found solace in these kitchens, where Cantonese was more than a language—it was a connection to his roots in a place far from home. This blend of cultures and cuisines laid the foundation for Jess's appreciation of diverse narratives and flavours.During our chat, Jess challenges the stereotype of the starving artist, emphasising the richness of spirit that creative pursuits bring. In her own words, "We are communicators. We feed the soul of human beings." This ethos underscores her belief in the profound impact of art—be it a poignant song or a captivating painting—to inspire, provoke thought, and ignite new possibilities.Her album ‘Summer of Love’, made during one of Victoria’s numerous lockdowns whilst staying solo at the Point Lonsdale Guesthouse is out now.You can find Jess's recipe on our website!Find us @whatartistseat on Instagram and our website www.whatartistseat.com.auSupport What Artists Eat on Patreon!Links to Jess's work and anything else we chatted about:WebsiteFacebookInstagramYoutubeBandcampMerchSpotifyApple MusicTourLeah SeniorAmy Chaplin: macrobiotic chef in NYC“The UK’s best service station”The Point Lonsdale Guest House

In the vast tapestry of human experience, there are those who traverse the realms of imagination with paintbrushes in hand, and others who concoct culinary masterpieces with a dash of creativity and a pinch of tenderness. Yet, nestled within this intricate mosaic lies the story of Charlotte Alldis—a multifaceted creator, a fierce lover, and a loyal protector of those in her orbit. Meet the artist, maker, storyteller, and mum to Buster the bulldog, whose life's journey has been as colorful and captivating as the worlds she paints.Childhood, for Charlotte, was a self made kaleidoscope of wonder and whimsy. Art wasn't the initial muse; instead, it was the enchanting realm of storytelling that captured her imagination. Raised by parents who were educators deeply immersed in the realms of play, writing, and literature, she was steeped in a culture of creativity from an early age.The focus wasn’t fine art—it was playfulness, experimentation, and joy. As a child, Charlotte transformed mundane meals into fantastical feasts, crafting blue pancakes, purple pasta, and dyed vegetables with unabashed delight. Cooking wasn't about following recipes; it was about embracing the magic of the moment and relishing in the act of creation.You can find Charlotte's recipe on our website!Find us @whatartistseat on Instagram and our website www.whatartistseat.com.auSupport What Artists Eat on Patreon!Links to Charlotte's work and anything else we chatted about:https://www.charlottealldis.com/https://www.instagram.com/charlottealldis

For Tim Shiel, music isn't just a career—it's a personal practice, a means of self-expression, and a conduit for connection. He eschews the notion of the tortured artist, finding inspiration not in pain, but in abundance and community.Tim is a musician, producer and broadcaster, hosting Arvos on Double J & Something More on triple j. As Tim continues to navigate the ever-shifting landscapes of parenthood and music, one thing remains constant: his unwavering dedication to his craft and his commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive community for fellow artists.In a world that often prioritizes profit over passion, Tim stands as a beacon of authenticity and inspiration, reminding us that the true essence of art lies not in its commercial value, but in its ability to move and connect us on a deeper level.You can find Tim's Egg n Beans recipe on our website!Find us @whatartistseat on Instagram and our website www.whatartistseat.com.auSupport What Artists Eat on Patreon!Links to Tim's work and anything else we chatted about:https://www.timshiel.com/https://www.timshiel.com/spirit-levelhttps://timshiel.bandcamp.com/ Tim’s Substack ‘Shiel Feels’Everything else ‘Tim Shiel’ hereAlways in Tim’s pantry is his special ingredient Shichi-mi tōgarashi  

If you love art and food, you probably know Libby Haines’ work. Her juicy textural still life paintings sell out in seconds on Instagram.Libby is an artist who knows the magic of those really good meals that stay with you for years. For her, painting and cooking are deeply intertwined – both are expressions of creativity, nourishment, and self-expression. Going back, Libby’s childhood memories are saturated with the vibrant colours and textures of her grandparent’s vegetable garden and the comforting chaos of the family kitchen. These early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong journey of artistic expression, culinary exploration, and a deep appreciation for the beauty and intensity found in everyday life.You can find Libby's Pumpkin Ricotta Sage Orichette recipe on our website!Find us @whatartistseat on Instagram and our website www.whatartistseat.com.auSupport What Artists Eat on Patreon!Links to Libby's work and anything else we chatted about:www.libbyhaines.com@libbyhainesartThe 100 Years War on Palestine- Rashid KhalidiJustice for Some by Noura ErakatDoppleganger Naomi KleinMe and White Supremacy Layla SaadArtist Marion AbrahamOndo Korean restaurant Melbourne CBDBooks Libby’s loving: The Neapolitan series by Elena FerranteFree printable download from Libby’s website to print and share widely

When Peter Corrigan heard John Williams' score for ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone ‘ as a kid, he was never the same again. Hearing that piece changed him forever and set him on course to become a composer.Pete is a composer for film and media, as well as being an accomplished pianist. When we get to the pointy end of things, Pete is tender and practical about the idea of the Starving Artist. He believes that being an artist is a "lifetime journey and not something we have to sacrifice everything for in one moment." He encourages artists to think of their art as a “life long pursuit”. You can find Pete's 'Aloo Gobi Pie' recipe on our website!Find us @whatartistseat on Instagram and our website www.whatartistseat.com.auSign up to our mailing list here for first access to merch!Links to Pete's work and anything else we chatted about:https://soundcloud.com/pete-corrigan https://www.instagram.com/petercorriganmusic/John Williams, composerChef Lagenda, Flemington

Welcome artist Gemma Leslie, founder of Food for Everyone. Food for Everyone invites chefs and artists to collaborate on recipe posters. From each poster purchased they donate the equivalent of 10 meals to food charities. To Date they’ve donated $150,000 which equals roughly 750,000 meals.On Food For Everyone, you can find recipes from Nigella Lawson, Jessica Nguyen, Hetty McKinnon and Andrew McConnell, beautifully accompanied by artworks from artists like Libby Haines, Allie Webb and Gemma herself.We talk to Gemma about family recipes, what constitutes ‘real’ art, and the power of community. You can find Gemma's Tuscan Ricotta Gnudi recipe on our website!Find us @whatartistseat on Instagram and our website www.whatartistseat.com.auLinks to Gemma's work and anything else we chatted about:- https://foodforeveryone.com.au/- https://www.gemleslie.com/- https://evi-o.art/- https://www.instagram.com/rosheen_/?hl=en- https://www.somethingsiliketocook.com.au/- https://foodforeveryone.com.au/blogs/news/suzanne-corbett- https://www.instagram.com/juliaostro/?hl=en- https://www.instagram.com/ellies.table/?hl=en- https://www.nigella.com/- https://www.pastagrannies.com/

Our interview begins with a burping poodle and ends with the beautiful Turkish phrase “health to your hands” which really sums up the essence of Olivia Cummings, founder and jewellery maker behind Cleopatra’s Bling. She will take you on a poetic journey to explore the mythology behind Greek amulets, and then ground you with tales of the logistics behind making her dog Alfonso’s birthday cake. This suits us just fine.Yes, Olivia is a jeweller, but she’s also devoted to food. For her, food is a connector and a nourishing, fortifying force. She finds meaning and satisfaction in the act of cooking for the people she loves and in the act of sharing food around a table. She favours simplicity in the kitchen for herself day by day, but will go all out when it comes to others.We end our chat with laughs about a kitchen disaster story that she’s still not over, and Olivia’s admission that she’s “a sicko with butter” - she has been known to give people a cracker with so much butter on it that they’ve assumed it was cheese.You can find Olivia's Flourless Cacao & Orange Cake recipe on our website!Find us @whatartistseat on Instagram and our website www.whatartistseat.com.auLinks to Olivia's work and anything else we chatted about:Cleopatra’s Bling websiteCleopatra’s Bling InstagramCleopatra’s Bling podcastCleopatra’s Bling Collingwood Store Ramen documentaryHanefi Yeter artist website