Ian Richard Parmenter, OAM (24 July 1945 – 13 April 2024) was an English-born Australian media professional and author with a half-century experience in newspapers, magazines, television and radio. He presented 450 five-minute programs of the cookery show ''

Consuming Passions ''Consuming Passions'' is a 1988 black comedy film which stars Vanessa Redgrave, Jonathan Pryce, and Sammi Davis and was directed by Giles Foster. The film is based on '' Secrets'' by Michael Palin and Terry Jones, a BBC television play broadc ...

'' on the Australian ABC television network. The program was also broadcast in 19 other countries.

Life and career

Parmenter was born in

London, England London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

after the end of World War II, his father was a brewer and his mother was a housewife. He moved to Belgium aged nine with his family, where he learnt cooking from a Belgian housekeeper with his first dish being their style of chips. He attended a

Montessori school The Montessori method of education is a type of educational method that involves children's natural interests and activities rather than formal teaching methods. A Montessori classroom places an emphasis on hands-on learning and developing ...

in Belgium before boarding in England at

King's School, Rochester The King's School, Rochester, is a private co-educational all through day and boarding school in Rochester, Kent. It is a cathedral school and, being part of the foundation of Rochester Cathedral. The school claims to be the second oldest c ...

, where he was expelled for partying. He became a journalist in

Fleet Street Fleet Street is a street in Central London, England. It runs west to east from Temple Bar, London, Temple Bar at the boundary of the City of London, Cities of London and City of Westminster, Westminster to Ludgate Circus at the site of the Lo ...

, London, before moving to Australia in 1971. He joined the ABC in Perth and qualified as a TV producer in 1974. He developed a culinary flair in private life, having no professional experience in

foodservice The foodservice (US English) or catering (British and Commonwealth English) industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, grocery stores, school and hospital cafet ...

. Parmenter also wrote several recipe collections and three books, listed below. In 1999 he moved to the Western Australian town of

Margaret River The Margaret River is a river in southwest Australia, southwest Western Australia. In a small catchment, it is the eponym of the town and tourist region of Margaret River, Western Australia, Margaret River. The river arises from a catchment ...

, where he had purchased a cottage shortly after ''Consuming Passions'' first aired. In the

2011 Australia Day Honours The 2011 Australia Day Honours are appointments to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by Australian citizens. The list was announced on 26 January 2011 by the governor general of Australia, Quentin Bryce. The Australia ...

, Parmenter was awarded the

Medal of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of then ...

for service to the food and tourism industries as an event director, author, journalist and broadcaster. Parmenter died on 13 April 2024, at the age of 79.

Publications

* ''Cooking with Passion'' (ABC Books) * ''Bon Appétit With Ian Parmenter'' (Gore & Osment Publications) * ''Sheer Bottled Bliss'' (HarperCollins) * ''All-Consuming Passions: Recipes Gathered from a Lifetime of Loving Food'' (HarperCollins)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Parmenter, Ian 1945 births 2024 deaths English television chefs English emigrants to Australia Australian television chefs English food writers Writers from London Writers from Perth, Western Australia People from Margaret River, Western Australia People educated at King's School, Rochester Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia