With a cheeky smile, boy-next-door good-looks and accompanying six-pack, no situation is too much to handle for Cape Town’s charismatic and easy going personal chef, Neill Anthony. Neill Anthony Private Chef will be returning with a new season on SABC 3 at 8.30pm from 23 May 2018.
Neill’s brand of understated charm and passion for fine dining excellence has helped establish him as a much sought after private chef to discerning clients both in South Africa and around the world. He spent ten years in Europe honing his skills in the professional kitchens of Gordon Ramsay, Alyn Williams, Jerome Henry and Marcus Waering.
Season 1 of the 13-part series premiered on SABC 3 in March 2015 before enjoying a secondary broadcast via the pay-TV channel, Food Network in South Africa and in over 90 countries and territories across Europe, Middle East and Africa, including the UK and Ireland, from August 2016. Based on the successful performance of the first series, the second season premiered locally on SABC 3 in November 2016, followed by Food Network in January 2017. In addition, Australian media company Foxtel also acquired the broadcast rights for seasons one and two of the series for its Lifestyle FOOD channel, which is also home to series such as The Great Australian Bake Off.
The renowned private chef remains humble about his fame. Neill Anthony says, “I’m truly excited about the new series which sees me creating new and complex flavour combinations designed to make the palate ‘think’, and which I hope will encourage viewers to experiment at home.”
Episode 1: THE SENSATIONAL SHANNON ELIZABETH
Set at the foot of the Waaihoek Mountain, situated in the beautiful Breede Valley, Neill finds the perfect spot, Bosjes, to cook for his A -List client, Shannon Elizabeth. Shannon Elizabeth is an American actress and former fashion model. Shannon is well known for her roles in comedy films such as American Pie, Scary Movie and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. With steep mountain ranges on both sides and the Breede River that winds through the valley, Bosjes is one of those tranquil, off-the-beaten-track places, rich in history and natural splendor. With only a list of likes and dislikes, and the known fact that his client is vegan, Neill’s prep is of outmost importance to ensure another happy client.
Episode 2: THE WEDNESDAY CLUB
After spending 25 years in London’s fast-paced banking and financial services sector, Selwyn Lewis is back in sunny South Africa and has become very well known for hosting the most outrageous parties. Over many years of successful business, Selwyn established partnerships with two world-renowned teams, Manchester United and Springbok Rugby. The Wednesday Club is Selwyn’s regular event that he hosts at various locations in Cape Town, of which the invites are most sort after. Selwyn calls on Neill to handle the food side of his next Wednesday Club extravaganza.
Episode 3: SOUTH AFRICA’S BEST MUSIC
An award-winning band of musicians gather together under the open skies for clinking of glasses and culinary delights as Neill prepares delectable canapé creations. Set up on an open-air rooftop bar in the heart of the Cape Town in a restored two-centuries-old heritage building, Freshly Ground sip on local cider and enjoy Neill’s unparralled canapé masterpieces.
Episode 4: HAES FARM
Before heading out to The Haes Farm in Stanford, just two hours outside Cape Town, Neill infuses an organic twist to a fast food staple, the double cheeseburger. Later, Neill will source fresh ingredients from the luscious greenlands at The Haes Farm and prepare a dinner for the farm owners, Harry and Steyn, who created their dream space in Stanford. The New York-style barn house provides the perfect setting for the owners and their friends as they love to entertain and love creative food experiences.
Episode 5: THE COPLEY A-LISTERS
This episode features South African actor of District Nine and other movies fame, Sharlto Copley. Set in Franschhoek, Neill finds the perfect spot, The Manor House at Mont Rochelle, to prepare a five-star meal for Sharlto and his friends and family. With only a short period to enjoy before setting off on his next Hollywood adventure, there’s no doubt that Sharlto wants the best quality time with those he holds close to his heart. Neill makes sure that Sharlto experiences exactly that.
Episode 6: LOCAL ARTISTS
South Africa is home to many successful as well as upcoming artists. Leigh Rein plays an integral part of that world as she supports emerging South African artists as they grow from strength to strength. Leigh and her husband host some of SA’s best up-and coming artists in their beautiful home in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, where Neill steps in to create some art of his own: on the plate.
Episode 7: A FANCY DRESS
Haute couture dress-maker, Philipp Althof, has just bought a brand-new apartment in Cape Town’s new Silo building. The Silo has been built in the grain elevator portion of the historic grain silo complex occupying six floors above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA). Born in Cape Town, of German decent and now living in Tokyo, Philipp calls on Neill’s expertise to facilitate a food extravaganza for his new Cape Town hotspot housewarming.
Episode 8: WINE MASTERS MEANDER
Neill gets invited to cook for acclaimed wine farm owner and artisanal wine maker, Adie Baadenhorst and his fellow wine makers. Set on the abundant lands of Adie’s farm in the Swartland region, Neill prepares an arrangement of open-fire food for these creative wine masters.
Episode 9: SOAP CELEBS
Terence Bridgett rose to fame in South Africa playing many roles in various soap operas, keeping families throughout the country entertained with their regular early-evening soapie dose. Terence and Neill not only have a joint passion for television, but also for food. Neill jumps on a plane to Johannesburg to go cook for new friend, Terence, who is joined by an array of local television celebrity actors for a grand night to remember.
Episode 10: URBAN GASTRONOMY
Selon Moodley imports one of the most prestigious kitchen furniture brands in the world, Gorenje, into South Africa. After watching seasons 1 and 2 of Neill Anthony Private Chef Selon became a fan – and Neill decides to cook up a storm for Selon and his friends. Before heading out to Selon’s, Neill pops into Johannesburg’s latest food phenomenon, Urbanologi, who work side by side a brewery team brainstorming and testing new ideas in search of new flavours, ingredients, processes and techniques. Neill takes his inspiration found at Urbanologi into Selon’s kitchen, ensuring no one is left anything short of amazed.
Episode 11: OLYMPIC SWIMMING
In this episode Neill cooks for South African breaststroke sprint specialist and multi-time Olympian, Cameron Van Der Burgh and his wife in celebration of the completion of their new home. With charred line fish and parsley puree on the menu for the main course, Neill also decides to forage for some fresh sea vegetables straight from the ocean.
Episode 12: PURE LUXURY
Jeremy and Annette are the co-owners of Luxury Brands, a brand building agency. The Luxury Brands Directory connects bespoke businesses to a thriving and rapidly growing online community. Luxury being key, Jeremy calls on Neill for a dinner to remember as Jeremy and Annette court new potential clients.
Episode 13: FRIENDS IN FOOD
In this finale episode Neill pays tribute to his foodie friends, most of whom we’ve briefly seen throughout the series. This is a celebration of those whom Neill turns to for special ingredients and support when catering to his client’s needs. After a delicious blow-torched salmon, lentil and harissa yogurt dish to keep him fuelled, Neill hits the streets of Cape Town to pick up a special treat from Cape Town’s newest café on the block and then heads to a secret location to serve dinner for his ever-reliable foodie society.
What: Neill Anthony Private Chef
Where and when: SABC3 from 23 May 2018 at 8.30pm
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