Neil Perry facts for kids
 |
|
| Born | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
|---|---|
| Cooking style | Modern Australian with Asian and European Influences |
| Education | Newington College (1968–1973) |
|
Current restaurant(s)
Rockpool, Spice Temple, Rockpool Bar & Grill (Melbourne and Sydney), Rosetta (Melbourne and Sydney), Margaret (Sydney), Next Door (Sydney)
|
|
|
Television show(s)
Neil Perry Fresh & Fast, Food Source, Food Source: Asia, Food Source: New Zealand, Food Source: Far North Queensland, Rockpool Sessions, Fresh
|
|
Neil Arthur Perry is a famous Australian chef, restaurant owner, author, and TV star. He also helps manage the food for Qantas flights through his company, Rockpool Consulting. He was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his great work.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Neil Perry was born in Sydney, Australia. He went to two schools: Newington College and Drummoyne Boys High School. At Newington, which had strict rules, he wasn't allowed to have long hair. He would grow his hair during holidays and try to hide it with combs when he went back to school. The school staff noticed and made him cut it.
In Year 10, Neil decided to leave Newington College. He then went to Drummoyne High, a public school. There, he didn't cut his hair for two years. This is how he got his well-known ponytail look. In 2015, Neil Perry was a special guest at the opening of a new building at Newington College.
Neil Perry's Cooking Career
Neil Perry started his career in a different way. He first began training to be a hairdresser. But he soon left that to work as a waiter. It was while waiting tables that he discovered his true passion: cooking!
His journey in the food world began at Mishas Balmoral Beach. He then managed Sails restaurants in Sydney. This is where he learned many skills for running a restaurant. By age 24, he was drawn to the kitchen. He learned from many great chefs like Damien Pignolet and Stephanie Alexander. Even though he is a top chef, Neil never actually finished a formal chef apprenticeship.
Opening Famous Restaurants
Neil became the head chef at Barrenjoey Restaurant in Palm Beach, New South Wales. He also had creative control at Perry's in Paddington. In October 1986, he opened Blue Water Grill at Bondi Beach. It became very popular right away.
Then, in February 1989, Neil Perry opened his first Rockpool restaurant. He started it with his business partner and cousin, Trish Richards.
In 2007, Neil opened Rockpool Bar & Grill in Melbourne. This restaurant was more relaxed than the original Rockpool. It was a fancy steakhouse located inside Crown Casino. They cooked high-quality beef over a wood-fire grill. The restaurant was a big success and got great reviews.
Around the same time, Neil decided to change his original Rockpool restaurant in Sydney. He closed it and reopened it as a "casual seafood place." He felt it was too demanding to keep it as a very fancy restaurant. However, in mid-2008, he changed his mind again! He announced that Rockpool would go back to being a "Rockpool classic" fine-dining restaurant. It reopened with its original style and menu.
New Restaurants and Qantas Partnership
In 2009, Neil Perry opened two more restaurants in Sydney. Both were in the same art deco building on Bligh Street. First, he opened Spice Temple in the basement. This restaurant focused on traditional Chinese food with a fancy touch. Soon after, he opened another Rockpool Bar & Grill on the floor above. This was like the successful one in Melbourne. Since 2010, Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney has won a special award for its wine list.
Since November 2013, the Rockpool restaurant has been in the historic Burns Philp Building in Bridge Street, Sydney. This beautiful building was finished in 1901.
Neil Perry also works with Qantas, Australia's main airline. Since 1997, he has been in charge of all the food and drinks served on flights and in airport lounges. He and his team create new menus every three months for first and business class travelers. In 2015, his role grew to include wines and other drinks. In 2022, Qantas brought back some of his most popular dishes to celebrate 25 years of working together.
In 2021, Neil opened another Sydney restaurant called Margaret. In 2022, he opened a sister restaurant right next door, called Next Door. In 2024, he opened a new restaurant named Song Bird.
Neil Perry is also an ambassador for Australian Apprenticeships for the government.
Helping Others: Charity Work
Neil Perry is a board member of the Bestest Foundation for Kids. This charity helps children who don't fit into the usual categories of bigger charities. Bestest raises money to help kids with illnesses, get equipment for disabilities, access education, or provide urgent help to children in need. Every dollar raised goes directly to the children.
Neil is a big supporter of the Bestest Gala Dinner. He has convinced chefs from all over the world to give their time and help for this special dinner. In 2008, more than 50 top chefs from Australia's best restaurants took part.
Awards and Special Recognitions
In 2013, Neil Perry was given a special honor. He was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM). This was for his important work helping charities and raising money, as well as for being a great chef and restaurant owner.
In 2024, Neil Perry received the Woodford Reserve Icon Award.
Television Appearances
Neil Perry is also well-known on Australian television. He has appeared on Channel Nine's food show, Fresh. He is also a main presenter on the digital TV network Foxtel, on the LifeStyle and LifeStyle Food channels in Australia. His shows have also been seen on BBC2 in Britain and on Martha Stewart's shows.
Rockpool Sessions
This TV series started in October 2004. It was a seven-part show that looked at Neil Perry's Rockpool restaurant and his work as a chef. The series also featured other famous Australian chefs. Neil Perry was the host, and chefs like Armando Percuoco and Tetsuya Wakuda shared their ideas. He has also appeared on MasterChef Australia.
Food Source Series
Food Source is a show that gives viewers an inside look at food in Australia. It features leading Australian chefs, food and wine makers, and includes over 20 recipes. The series began in 2001. It is still shown on the LifeStyle channel, LifeStyle Food channel, and BBC2.
Fresh & Fast
Neil Perry Fresh & Fast is a 13-part TV series that shares quick and easy recipes.
Neil Perry – High Steaks
This series first aired on May 21, 2007, on The LifeStyle Channel. It followed Neil Perry's journey as he set up a new steakhouse restaurant in Melbourne. The show explored the challenges of opening a big restaurant. By the end of the series, he successfully opened Rockpool Melbourne, which received good reviews.
Books and Other Media
Neil Perry has also written several cookbooks and released DVDs:
- Rockpool (1997)
- Simply Asian (2000)
- Food Source (DVD, 2002)
- The Food I Love (2005)
- Good Food (2007)
- Balance and Harmony (2008)
- Rockpool Bar & Grill (2010)
- Easy Weekends (2013)
- Simply Good Food (2013)
- Spice Temple (2015)
Images for kids
-
Perry's original Rockpool Restaurant in Sydney.
-
His later restaurant Rockpool Bar & Grill in the Burns Philp Building in Sydney.
See also
