Neil Perry

Neil Perry is one of Australia's leading and most influential chefs. He has managed several of Sydney's top restaurants, including the award-winning Rockpool. This landmark establishment celebrated its fifteenth anniversary in 2004, and since its inception has been consistently highly recommended by food critics around the world. Among Rockpool's many achievements is winning the Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year Award for the third time in 2004 -- the only restaurant in the Award's history to have achieved this distinction. This enviable reputation is due to Neil's passion for great food and tireless commitment to excellence -- qualities which have brought him to the forefront of modern Australian cooking.

In recent years Neil has established a dynamic consultancy business that provides training and menu development for Qantas Airways and a fresh food product line for Australia's Woolworths. He does regular television work as well and is the author of two previous books. In 2004 his famed XO restaurant reopened in Sydney, with its distinctive take on modern Asian food.

Neil Perry lives in Sydney with his wife Samantha, their new baby Macy and his elder daughter Josephine.