At Newington, a GPS school which stipulates a strict dress code, he wasn't allowed to have long hair.

Following this, he began attending Drummoyne High, a public school, and did not cut his hair for two years, leading to his signature look of a ponytail.

[2][3] Prior to joining the hospitality industry Perry started an apprenticeship as a hairdresser before dropping out and working as a waiter.

Perry's career in the hospitality industry began with working at Mishas Balmoral Beach where he left as a second year apprentice then managing Sails restaurants at the Sydney suburb of McMahons Point, and then at Rose Bay.

By the time he was 24 he found himself gravitating towards the kitchen, and realised his passion for cooking by working with, and learning from over the ensuing years, chefs such as Damien Pignolet, Gay Bilson, Stephanie Alexander, Steve Manfredi and David Thompson.

High quality beef cooked over wood-fire grill, supported by a modern and international à la carte menu form the backbone of the food served.

Perry cited a lack of will to continue operating Rockpool at the demanding and highly competitive level he had been as the main reason for the change.

Spice Temple was soon followed by the opening in the above level of a sibling instalment of Melbourne's successful Rockpool Bar & Grill.

[13] Perry became director of food, beverage, and service for the Australian flagship airline Qantas in 1997 and has been responsible for the in-flight and ground based culinary offerings for over 25 years.

[14] Menus are developed quarterly for International First and Business Class travellers, with the Rockpool team overseeing the implementation and introduction to catering centres at key ports.

[20][21] Perry was accused of significantly underpaying key staff as they work up to 70 hours a week in harsh conditions.

The private-equity owned Rockpool Dining Group,[22] which expects to make $40 million in profits this year, has also put significant pressure on vulnerable migrant workers, an investigation by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald has found.

Along with Perry who is the host, Armando Percuoco, Guillaume Brahimi, Karen Martini, David Thompson, Steve Manfredi and Tetsuya Wakuda contribute to and provide information and opinions on the themes of each episode.