Artist Gem Leslie believes in food for everyone, and that possums don't belong in the kitchen
Gem’s earliest memories of art were at school and were bolstered by the joyful world of the school art room. She began her professional life in the design world and even had her own label. Made redundant in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when most people went to banana bread, within 48 hours she went to art
Gemma Leslie is an artist and the 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.
Read that again. I know, right?
photo victoria zschommler
A QUICK WHIP AROUND THE INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE UP GEMMA
PRONOUNS: She / Her
HOMETOWN: Naarm / Melbourne, australia
JOB DESCRIPTION: Artist / Founder of Food For Everyone
Gemma’s work is largely inspired by the simple pleasures of everyday homescapes, with a particular focus on food. Working primarily in paint mediums, her style is imbued with playful simplicity, characterised by organic silhouettes, vibrant colour, and naïve still-life scenes.
Our Favourite ‘Food For Everyone’ Print
Black Pepper Mud Crab by Rosheen Kaul & Allie Webb
Unmistakably the work of Allie Webb, this lino-cut piece depicts Rosheen Kaul’s black pepper mud crab.
A recipe so fiery and luscious has seen Allie introduce burnt red colours to her traditionally monochromatic works.
Limited Edition of 300
One poster provides 10 meals
Available in: A2 format 42 x 59 cm | A3 format 29.7 x 42cm
Printed on 130gsm Extract paper, made entirely from 100% recycled coffee cups
More on Food For Everyone…
“We are a culinary poster shop that collaborates with renowned chefs, cooks, and restaurateurs, transforming recipes into artworks.
Food For Everyone was born out of a simple love for sharing food with family and friends.
The act of coming together over a meal is universally binding—a common language we all share. Shaped by individual cultures, perspectives and stories, food is intrinsically diverse—and we think that’s something to celebrate.
Through food, we uncover new ways of seeing, new experiences, and new connections.
Food is happiness. Food is fun. Food is for everyone.”
Shop originals on Gemma’s website here
During our chat with Gem, we journey through so many big hearted stories and experiences. We hear about the joys of a chaotic childhood kitchen, the debilitation of Post-Natal Depression and the expansive powers of community.
Pop on your smock, line up at the front and join us to find out What Gemma Eats.
WHAT GEMMA EATS
TUSCAN RICOTTA GNUDI
(spinach and ricotta gnocchi)
art by Gem Leslie
“Finished off in a simple brown butter, nutmeg and sage sauce, this handmade pasta is a light yet warming dish, and surprisingly easy to make.
Grazie Nonna Rosa for passing down this recipe!”
“This recipe I started making when I was living up North in Brisbane. It was the 2022 floods, and we were stuck inside our wobbly little Queenslander house.
I loved my Nana (now passed), I loved everything about her. She cooked the basics with what she could manage at the time. There is something comforting about having a grandparents love in your life. For comfort, I often turn on 'Pasta Grannies' on YouTube to gain some “nonna warmth” and to learn a new thing or two. This is a recipe by Nona Rosa. It's effort vs. reward is a 9/10.
Tips:
Don’t squish the gnudi too much when you’re rolling them
Make sure you get the water out of the spinach
Don’t wait for the potatoes to cool before you peel them
Pair with something fresh like a riesling or chilled pinot noir
LINKS & MENTIONS
LINKS TO ARTIST INFORMATION, RESOURCES AND ANYTHING ELSE WE CHATTED ABOUT
INFORMATION AND TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR CHAT
Reach out to, and lean on your community. Don’t have a community? Build one based on your values
Speaking of values: Say your values out loud when you’re trying to connect - tell people what you’re all about
“You have to do what you love to turn up as a mother”
If you don’t ask, you don’t get. “Most people want to help and feel like they’re contributing… If they don’t say yes, it doesn’t mean it’s a hard no, maybe it’s just a no for now”
What keeps Gemma going throughout everything is MAKING her art
Gemma loves a “cheap and cheerful” restaurant and feels like this exemplifies the culinary spirit of Naarm / Melbourne, her home city