Todd White’s Special Sauce (25" x 16") is a witty, characterful piece that celebrates camaraderie, ritual, and the unspoken bonds of shared profession. Lined up shoulder to shoulder, a group of chefs stand in their pristine whites, tall hats crowning their elongated, exaggerated figures. Each clutches a glass of red wine, the repeated motif creating a playful rhythm across the canvas. White’s stylised faces brim with personality – stern, amused, mischievous, or quietly reflective – as though each chef’s inner world is revealed in a fleeting glance or crooked smile. The warm, earthy background enhances the convivial mood, while the artist’s distinctive red outlines give energy and definition to the figures, almost as if they are glowing with life.

White’s work thrives on observation, extracting humour and humanity from the gestures and quirks that define us. Here, the theatre of the kitchen is distilled into a single scene, transformed into a gathering of characters who are both archetypal and deeply individual. The shared drink becomes a symbol of release, celebration, and solidarity – the “special sauce” of friendship.

Through his signature blend of caricature, sophistication, and wit, Todd White once again invites us into a world that is at once familiar and heightened, making everyday rituals unforgettable.