Neil Perry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Neil Perry | |
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| Born | 1962 Sydney, Australia |
| Cooking style | Modern Australian with Asian and European Influences |
| Education | Newington College No formal food training |
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Current Restaurant(s)
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Television show(s)
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Neil Perry is a prominent Australian chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter. He also is the co-ordinator for Qantas Flight Catering under his company Rockpool Consulting and has a notable food brand sold under his name, available at Woolworths Supermarkets. He owns the critically acclaimed Sydney restaurant Rockpool, Melbourne's Rockpool Bar & Grill, and previously, Wockpool and XO (both have since closed). [1]
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that as of October 20, 2007, Perry will close the fine dining Rockpool Sydney and reopen as a "casual seafood venue"[2].
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[edit] Career
Prior to joining the hospitality industry Perry started an apprenticeship as a hairdresser before dropping out and working as a waiter. This is where he found his calling as a chef.
Perry's career in the hospitality industry began with managing Sails restaurants at the Sydney suburbs of McMahons Point and then at Rose Bay. This was where most of Neil's floor management skills were learnt. By the time he was 24 he found himself gravitating towards the kitchen, and realised his passion for cooking by working with, and learning from over the ensuing years, chefs such as Damien Pignolet, Gay Bilson, Stephanie Alexander, Steve Manfredi and David Thompson.
Neil became head chef at Barrenjoey Restaurant, Palm Beach and was given creative control over Perry’s in Paddington. In October 1986, Neil opened the Blue Water Grill at Bondi Beach which became an overnight success. He then opened Rockpool in February 1989 with his business partner and cousin Trish Richards and still remains running today.
Neil also heads a consultation team for the Australian flagship airline Qantas, whom which he creates and controls in-flight menus. Menus are developed quarterly for International First and Business Class travellers, with the team overseeing the implementation and introduction to catering centres at key ports. The Rockpool Consulting team are integral to the food and wine training and communication for all premium flight attendants, and in addition work with Qantas to develop service delivery to reflect a more modern in-flight dining experience.
[edit] Television
Perry is also a notable food personality within Australia, appearing on Channel Nine's food program, Fresh and being a major presenter on channel the digital subscribers network, Foxtel, on the LifeStyle and LifeStyle Food channels in Australia and on BBC2 in Britain. He has also recently starred on Martha Stewart's shows. His series are promoted under the banners of:
[edit] Rockpool Sessions
Commenced in October 2004, the seven-part half-hour series profiles the restaurant Perry as chef. The series also features some of Australia’s most renowned chefs. Along with Perry who is the host, Armando Percuoco, Guillaume Brahimi, Karen Martini, David Thompson, Steve Manfredi and Tetsuya Wakuda contribute to and provide information and opinions on the themes of each episode.
[edit] Food Source Neil Perry/Asia/New Zealand/Far North Queensland
Food Source is an insider's guide to food in Australia and features leading Australian Chefs, food and wine producers and over 20 recipes. The series began in 2001, with series 4 (Food Source:Far North Queensland) being filmed in 2004. It continues to be shown on the LifeStyle channel, the LifeStyle Food channel and BBC2.
[edit] Fresh & Fast/Fresh & Fast Christmas Special
Neil Perry Fresh & Fast is a 13-part series
[edit] neil perry - high steaks
The series premiered 21 May 2007 on The LifeStyle Channel. It shows the journey of Perry setting up a steakhouse venue in Melbourne. Perry deals with set-up costs of $4.5million.
The first episode shows before Perry opening up Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne, he was involved in expanding the Rockpool brand to London but had failed in a deal to establish a location in London. By the end of the series, he successfully opened Rockpool Melbourne and received good reviews for Rockpool Sydney and Melbourne. He was also looking to expand the brand into New York or London.
[edit] References
- ^ John, Lethlean. "Rockpool Bar & Grill", The Age, 2006-12-18. Retrieved on 2006-12-18.
- ^ Rockpool chef swaps hats - Sydney Morning Herald, Good Living - 25 Sept 2007
