About Chef Neil Smith
Chef Neil’s love for cooking began in childhood, born from necessity and nurtured by creativity. With working parents, he took on the role of chef at home, cooking meals for his younger brother after school. That early responsibility sparked a passion that would evolve into a 29-year culinary career—23 of them spent with Fleming’s. Along the way, he trained under several accomplished chefs, developing a philosophy rooted in simplicity, precision, and respect for ingredients. Chef Neil holds a particular fondness for preparing duck, an ingredient that demands skill and care to execute perfectly. Chef Neil brings clarity, consistency, and calm to every service. Outside of the kitchen, he enjoys golf, racing, and snowboarding—thrill-seeking pastimes that mirror the precision and adrenaline of professional cooking. Through the Chef’s Signature Series, Chef Neil continues to champion great food, great people, and the timeless value of doing simple things exceptionally well.
