He’s one of the country’s most in-demand - and most awarded - chefs; a foodie all-rounder whose talents in the kitchen have given him a restauranteur Midas touch. Now managing seven dining venues across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, Neil Perry is the driving force behind some of Australia’s most iconic eateries. From his longstanding success story, Rockpool and spinoff restaurant Rockpool Bar & Grill, to the Spice Temple and Rosetta Ristorante, this Sydney-born culinary wunderkind is unrivalled.
My best holiday was:
A South African safari. I have been twice now and it’s definitely one to put on your bucket list. Singita is fantastic and I highly recommend their lodges and safari experiences. I have never relaxed so much - you just want to focus on what’s happening right in front of you.
I never travel without:
My electric toothbrush! It goes with me everywhere, whether it’s an overnight stay in Melbourne or Perth for work or a two-week holiday in Aspen.
Music is also a must.
A relaxing trip for me is:
Good food and wine are essential (as I like eating and drinking) as well as an activity of some sort, be it skiing or a safari.
My favourite foodie destination is:
Tokyo. The produce is so fresh and seasonal…it’s really hard to have a bad meal there.
I survive long-haul flights by:
Having my Bang & Olufsen noise-reducing headphones with me at all times and my cashmere eye mask.
My favourite city is:
Again, I’ll have to say Tokyo. It’s bustling and busy, the people are courteous and friendly, it’s culturally rich and exciting and the food really is second to none.
Another well-known globetrotter: What Kind Of Traveller Is Lisa Curry?
Enticing food tales from Japan: Dining With Locals On A Visit To Japan
The best hotel I've stayed in was:
Upper House in Hong Kong. It’s stylish and sophisticated with walk around beds and bathrooms and it’s perfectly located with incredible views of Hong Kong’s skyline.
My favourite gourmet experience while travelling was:
Argh. This is like choosing a favourite child! There are too many to choose from, but I will say that I always love exploring the different regions and cuisines of China. There’s so much diversity.
My best piece of travel advice is:
Be organised. Have a plan of where you want to stay, the restaurants you want to eat in and the attractions you want to visit, and then make the necessary bookings before you leave. This way you can arrive at your destination and simply enjoy without running around madly trying to find a hotel to stay in or eating at a restaurant the hotel concierge recommends.
The next place on my list is:
San Sebastian. I love the food there, which ranges from very simple to avant guard. Food aside, the setting is also superb - there’s a really lovely village atmosphere there.
Neil is set to host ‘An Appetite for Paradise’ in collaboration with MasterCard – an exclusive five-course dinner at two of Australia’s World Class hotels: One&Only Hayman Island and One&Only Wolgan Valley.
