Jack Karlson, the man who enjoyed one too many succulent Chinese meals, has passed away this week. Karlson rose to infamy in 1991 after he gave an impassioned speech protesting his arrest outside Brisbane eatery, China Sea Restaurant.

It was during his arrest that Karlson addressed the waiting media, uttering the immortal words, “What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?” Mr ‘Democracy Manifest’ became an instant sensation following a slew of offences which involved paying for extravagant lunches with stolen credit cards.

The demonstrative speech, in which the avid luncher directed reporters to witness a headlock he was in, the ‘judo’ skills of the arresting officers and an unfortunate alleged grazing of Karlson’s privates, was nothing short of inspired.

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It was announced earlier this year that Karlson was working with arresting officer Stoll Watt to create a documentary, while catching up over lunch at China Sea Restaurant. The documentary was to illustrate Karlson’s colourful and, at times, tragic life – a story marred with questionable lore and a lot of red wine.

The Hungarian-born icon was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022. After a lengthy battle, he passed away at the age of 82.

Is it a crime to enjoy a succulent Chinese meal?

If you pay for it, absolutely not. Unfortunately for Karlson, the credit card he attempted to pay with was allegedly stolen. The theatrical protest captured the sometimes questionable spirit of Australian culture of the time, when long lunches reigned and attitudes toward petty crime were, shall we say, casual.

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