Neil Perry hangs up his chef’s hat

After 40 years in service, renowned Australian chef Neil Perry is retiring. 

At the age of 63, Perry will step back from his role as culinary director at Rockpool Dining Group, but will continue as a major shareholder and consultant. 

Perry has chosen to focus on his charitable work, providing free meals to the vulnerable through Hope Delivery. 

“As the business now needs to embark on a new chapter, it is time for a fresh start,” Perry said.

“It will never be easy to move on from the restaurants I founded, and I do so with a heavy heart, but as the business and the sector set their sights on new beginnings, it is the right time for the next generation to have the opportunity afforded to me over 40 years ago.”

Perry is the founder of hatted restaurants including Rockpool Bar and Grill, Spice Temple and Rosetta.

Among the Rockpool Dining Group is Saké Restaurant & Bar, The Cut Bar & Grill and more casual venues The Bavarian, The Argyle, Fratelli Fresh and El Camino Cantina.

Rockpool Dining Group has more than 3000 staff in over 80 restaurants and bars around Australia, with revenue of around $400 million a year.

Perry sold the Rockpool Group to Urban Purveyor Group in 2016, which became Quadrant Private Equity. Perry was reportedly in negotiations to buy some of his key venues back from Quadrant when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, decimating the hospitality sector and making it difficult to determine the worth of the businesses.

The deal would have seen Perry keep the premium restaurant brands Rockpool, Spice Temple and Rosetta. The pandemic put an end to any hope Perry had at keeping his financial backing for this buy back deal, thus hastening his retirement. 

Despite an underpayment scandal in 2016, Perry remained highly popular amongst fellow chefs, with Luke Mangan of Luke's Kitchen and Glass Brasserie paying tribute on Twitter saying: "One of the best in our industry and a great leader."

Mark Best also took to Twitter saying: "Australian cuisine wouldn't be where it is without your prodigious talent and energy."