About Neil

Please see below for my full biography

Experienced, classically trained Chef with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry.
Strong operations professional skilled in Catering, Cooking, Hospitality Industry, Teaching, Event Management.
Chef with over 40 years’ experience, offering no obligation cooking demos and Private Chef services through my company ChiDining.
Based near Portsmouth UK

I am a classically trained, experienced chef / restaurateur turned private chef.

Born in Portsmouth into a farming family; with my Mother coming from around the Droxford and Fareham district; and my Father from Chichester, where we had lived for 300 years, in the family home on the edge of the Goodwood Estate.

I was extremely fortunate to have a family and friends that liked to entertain. And thus, I was able to ‘practice’ on them and my interest in all things culinary was born.

My forty plus years of experience in the catering industry has equipped me with the skills required, to be able to respond to the situation with the mantra that ‘the customer is king’ and ensuring that I can orchestrate the best experience for them.

Training classically at Highbury College for three years, and then as a chef at places like the 5-star Chewton Glen Hotel in New Milton and at The Waterside Inn, Bray, where I was fortunate enough to work under the late and great Michel Roux, Snr. Following Bray, I also did a stint in hotel management, as PA to the owners of Rookery Hall in Nantwich, a leading country house hotel at the time. Here I found myself responsible for ensuring that guests and VIPS had the best of everything.
Becoming a restaurateur at 25, has given me the grounding to hone my skills, including managing staff; food quality and hygiene control; an excellent eye for detail from kitchen to table; as well as exceptional customer service. Liquor licensing, budgeting and financial controls have also played important parts too!

During my career I have looked after many loyal regular customers and been given the great honour to cater for many of the highs and lows in their lives, becoming an intrinsic part of their families – a massive responsibility to get it right!

Additionally, over the years the guests I have also cater for have included, Royalty, a Prime Minister, as well as famous people from stage, screen, and the world of music.

Establishing ChiDining back in 2014 and becoming a private chef, I also offer my services as a consultant, with one of my main clients being Parham House and Gardens, where I acted as their head of catering for a number of years.

Hobbies and interests include, gardening, protection of wildlife habitats, running the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme and being a parish councillor.

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Dear Neil, Thank you for amazing food and putting up with our crazy family!

Bellasa

Neil, Thank you so much for kindly helping me to gain many pounds from your delicious food.

Sophie

Neil, it is always a joy and I look forward to doing it all again in the not too distant future.

Joe

Many thanks, once again, for absolutely making our holiday a wonderful experience. Until the net time. xx

Anne-Marie

I love you and all your delicious food!

Sophie

The man, the chef, the legend .... from the goat's cheese to the gooey, scrummy dessert, a masterpiece in culinary excellence. Thank you!

Dave

Thank you again for all the gorgeous meals and for being so accommodating with my family. Best wishes.

Carol