Beano cartoonist who turned daughter’s dinners into art goes viral

Hugh Raine, who has been working for the iconic comic for seven years, has shared his creations on social media.

By Kieran Webster

May 12 2023, 1:03pm

Hugh Raine with his daughter Bonnie and one of his food creations. Image: Hugh Raine

A Beano cartoonist has gone viral after turning his daughter’s dinners into art.

Hugh Raine, who has been working for the iconic Dundee comic for seven years, made the meals for his fussy-eater daughter Bonnie when she was four.

He shared photos of the dinners on Twitter this week, years after creating them, and the post has gone viral – with more than two million views.

Hugh told The Courier: “She was – and still is – a very fussy eater.

“I did this as a way to engage with some of the food she was eating.

'Frank's toast'. Frankenstein's monster made of toast and eggs. Image: Hugh Raine. — ‘Frank’s toast’. Image: Hugh Raine.

'The Sey-shells'. A desert island made of eggs and toast. Image: Hugh Raine — ‘The Sey-shells’. Image: Hugh Raine

“From the dishes, you can see it’s not a wild variety of food – it was to be a gateway for more exotic foods.

“Unfortunately it only lasted a short while. She eventually got fatigued with it – sometimes you want your dinner without the expectation to react and I totally understand that.

“She’s eight now and we were looking back at the photos and she said she was surprised she asked me to stop.

'Under the tea'. Fish dippers and mash and peas. Image: Hugh Raine — ‘Under the tea’. Image: Hugh Raine

“Maybe there will be a spaceship school sandwich on the horizon soon.”

Since the tweet was posted, the artist has had comments from all over the world.

While most have been positive, others have drawn criticism at some of the food combinations.

‘Someone from France asked if I had no shame’

Hugh, based in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, added: “People like to point out the food would get cold – the fact is food needs to be cooler for a four-year-old anyway.

“The most heinous crime seems to be putting peas with spaghetti bolognaise.

“I’ve had people going at me in all different languages – someone from France asked if I had no shame.