10 Questions For: Neill Anthony

This Cape Town-based private chef has cooked for the likes of Madonna, Victoria Beckham, Elton John and U2, to name but a few well-known celebs. Trained in the kitchens of Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, Zimbabwe-born Neill now gets invited to cook in the homes of local celebrities, socialites and friends and family transforming their dinner experiences into exclusive dining extravaganzas. He also has his own TV show; Private Chef, which is broadcast both nationally and internationally on the Food Network channel.

1.  How would you describe what you do for a living?
I am a private chef that recreates restaurant experiences in people’s homes. But to put it simply, I am lucky enough to do what I absolutely love, day in and day out.

2.  What is your most vivid childhood memory?
Eating my mom’s home cooked meals. To this day I can still remember the exact flavours and tastes, which were fantastic.

3.  If you could invite any three people, dead or alive, for dinner, who would they be and why?
Jose Mourinho – I have great respect for him as a football manager. 
My dad – I would do anything to cook for him again.
Alyn Williams – He is and has always been a massive inspiration in my cooking and my culinary career.

4. If you ever found yourself auditioning for a music reality TV show, what song would you sing and why?
‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond. I was named after him, as my mother is a massive fan; also it’s a cool song. 

5.  How would you complete this sentence? The South African cabinet should include a Minister of _____________________________.
Appreciation to Our Local Farmers and the Land.

6.  What would you say is the biggest misconception about you?
I guess, people often tend to think that all I eat is fancy food, but the reality is very different. I love any meal as long as it is cooked with respect to the ingredients and is seasoned properly. I eat mostly very plain normal food; I just tend to cook fancy looking plates sometimes.

7.  What is your (honest) opinion of Cape Town?
In my opinion it is the only city to live in, within South Africa but can we please turn the wind down. 

8.  What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?
Chefs can be very socially awkward people and I am particularly guilty of this. Having to leave out of my 'safe kitchen' takes a little encouragement. Overcoming this fear has been mostly due to the response I receive from my clients and I love to make my clients happy.

9.   What's the one thing you'd like to achieve before you die?
Play football with and cook for David Beckham. I am a very big fan of his and would love to teach him a few tricks in the kitchen, while he can teach me a few football tricks. 

10.  Which well- known South African personality would you , without a doubt, be able to beat in a street fight and why?   
Francois Pienaar. I would just distract him with one of my desserts. 

---

ABOUT #CapeTownMag10Q:

CapeTownMagazine.com’s 10 Questions project gets to know some of the Mother City’s most creative and inspiring people. From television personalities and musicians to politicians and entrepreneurs, we find out more about well-know and up-and-coming Capetonians. You can follow #CapeTownMag10Q on Twitter and Facebook to track recent interviews or read more here about our other awesome 10 Questions candidates. 

A FEW OF OUR OTHER 10Q CANDIDATES:

10 Questions For Cape Town Chef and Food Stylist Zola Nene

10 Questions For Cape Town Award-winning Chef Brad Bell

---

Check out our events section for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and if you have a smartphone, add m.capetownmagazine.com to your home screen for quick access on the go!

Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle, connect with us on LinkedIn, check out our photos on Instagram and follow our Pinterest boards for updates on what’s happening in and around the Mother City!