Neil Perry

Neil Perry is the iconic Australian chef. A multi award winning chef and owner of many of Australia’s leading restaurants for more than 25 years. Today, Neil concentrates on his flagship brand ~ Rockpool; which includes restaurants Rockpool, Spice Temple, Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney and Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne, along with Rockpool Consulting.

Neil heads a team of consultants to Qantas Airways. 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.

Neil is also author of five recipe books; Balance & Harmony, Good Food, The Food I Love, Rockpool and Simply Asian, 4 classical/recipe CD’s; creator of a range of Neil Perry Fresh food products; and a television presenter on The Lifestyle Channel with whom he has produced several series including Food Source, Fresh & Fast, The Rockpool Sessions and High Steaks.

Neil’s career in hospitality began at Sails restaurant at McMahons Point and in Rose Bay. Neil then became head chef at Barrenjoey Restaurant, Palm Beach and was given creative control over Perry’s in Paddington. In October 1986, he opened the Blue Water Grill at Bondi Beach and took the site from a 20 year failure to an overnight success. Neil opened Rockpool in February 1989 with his partner Trish Richards, which has developed into a world class restaurant, winning many awards both here and overseas. In October 2006, Neil made his first foray interstate, opening Rockpool Bar and Grill in the Crown Complex in Melbourne. In early 2009, Neil opened Spice Temple in Sydney, followed shortly after by Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney. Both have opened to outstanding praise.

Neil’s passion and the importance he places on quality produce is evident in all his dishes and the business projects he undertakes. Rockpool is a past recipient of The Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year award, Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year and was voted in the top 50 restaurants in the world by UK magazine ‘Restaurant’ seven years running. Additionally, Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne won The Age Good Food Guide’s Restaurant of the Year award in 2008.

In 2009, The 4 Rockpool Group restaurants were acknowledged by the influential Wine Spectator Magazine for their extraordinary wine programs – with Rockpool, Rockpool Bar & Grill Sydney and Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne all receiving a ‘Best of Award of Excellence.’ Spice Temple also received an ‘Award of Excellence’.