You’ll find one of my favourite chefs, Neill Anthony, at The Good Food & Wine Show this weekend.

It’s going to be quite a show and your mouth will probably be too busy to ask him anything, so here are the answers to some of the things you might have asked him.

Neill has been personal chef to a superstar or three and worked for Gordon Ramsay. He’s a based in Cape Town. He caters for private parties, offers master classes and will even take you shopping at his favourite market spots. (At a very reasonable rate!).

In this interview Neill has introduced me to an amazing new band and author; and I just love his monosyllabic answer to “When do you usually drink champagne?”. So read on and get to know more about him.

Name:
Neill Anthony

Claim to Fame:
Private chef/cook who has an obsession with great food and great people and has worked for the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Weiring and Alyn Williams.

Favourite restaurant?
South Africa – La Mouette in Sea Point (Tel: +27 21 433 0856)
International – Corrigans of Mayfair

Favourite getaway spot?
South Africa- I love Cape Town
International – London

Favourite music at the moment?
Mumford and Sons.

What book(s) are you reading?
Charlie Trotters’ Lessons in Excellence.

Sweet or Savoury?
Savoury.

Favourite celebration?
Christmas.

What do you never go to a party without?
A good bottle of bubbles or wine and a pencil behind my ear …don’t ask.

Do you remember your first sip of champagne?
No.

When do you usually drink champagne?
Yes.

Do you keep champagne corks from special occasions?
No.

The perfect accompaniment to bubbly?
Apart from great people to drink it with ….I actually like my bubbles with dessert very refreshing.

Most memorable champagne moment?
When I did the 50th birthday party for Madonna she gave me a bottle of 86 dom which was pretty cool.

You’re sitting at your favourite restaurant with chilled Genevieve MCC on the table. Who is joining you?
Family and friends.