Get to know our owner and head chef, Neil

For those of you who have visited or are regulars at Catch 22, you’ll know by now that we’re a family-owned restaurant run by our head chef Neil, with his wife Mel and her sister Ellie managing the dining area. You’ll also know that we pride ourselves on using top-quality ingredients, cooking them well and providing a friendly, welcoming service. But what you might not know are some of these fun facts about Neil… 

How did you get into cooking and hospitality? 

I haven't got a nice romantic answer for this but for some reason I've always wanted my own restaurant — perhaps because I love eating so much. I actually studied maths at university but after realising that I couldn't sit in an office all day, I did a U-turn and my plan was to become a restaurant manager. I thought it would be wise to at least learn the basics in the kitchen first, but I loved working in the kitchen so much that I never left! Fortunately my wife is the restaurant manager for Catch 22, and she does a much better job than I would. 

What’s your favourite item on the Catch 22 menu? 

On our current menu it is without doubt the Lamb Kleftiko pie. The flavours make you feel like you're on holiday, and I love the shredded filo pastry on top. 

If you could invite one person, dead or alive, to have a meal with you at Catch 22, who would it be and why? 

Anthony Bourdain. He travelled the world and has eaten every cuisine going. I'd love to quiz him on his favourite countries and restaurants. 

What’s your proudest Catch 22 moment? 

I guess that would have to be being included in the Top 100 Local Restaurants by the Good Food Guide in 2024. There was a big effort from all of the team to get people to vote for us and it is a huge honour to be included in the list. 

In your (limited!) free time, what are your favourite things to do and places to go on the island?   

Anything that involves eating or being outdoors (although it's hard to combine both of those things with the Anglesey weather!) I love walking and cycling around the island but tend to stick to the west side — Rhoscolyn headland is pretty hard to beat. Food-wise some of my favourite places are Cafe Notos for breakfast, Zapatismo tacos for lunch and Sage restaurant for dinner (and Catch 22, of course...)