Neil Perry's Birthday Message for Stephanie

I first met Stephanie in May of 1982. We were sitting at a table upstairs at Claude’s restaurant in Paddington with my dear friends Josephine and Damien Pignolet. I was 25 and so, so nervous to meet such a giant in our industry.

We shared a tea and croissant that day and talked about me going to Melbourne to help out for three months in the kitchen over that winter. I could never have known how important to me that would be.

Yanni the chef was just leaving and the new chef from the three-Michelin Star Troisgros Brothers in France was just starting. I spent three months there learning valuable lessons and seeing how a very well-run restaurant functions.

I learnt the importance of washing and drying lettuce – you would think such a small thing, but so important that it has stayed with me ever since. Many small things became very important things.

To respect and do the simple things well. To use and appreciate the best ingredients, these were the things I learnt at Stephanie’s. I have respected her tremendously ever since and I know that time in her kitchen, although brief, was very influential on my cooking life. You then add the influence she has had on all Australians that love to cook and it has been massive. Stephanie is the Margaret Fulton of her times in terms of teaching and helping Australians to cook with her prolific publishing.

Then of course her massive philanthropic influence on our children. With the Kitchen Garden Program Stephanie has gone on to make young Australians appreciate where their food comes from, how it grows and, importantly, to taste and appreciate it. These are skills and experiences all children should have. It’s amazing to see how Stephanie has done this and continued to work to get the message out to more and more children across our land.

We are in essence very lucky to call her our own here in Australia. What a massively influential and full life she has led. I get the feeling that there are only more good things ahead.