Actor trained as chef

Press, 15 February 1989, Page 18

Actor trained as chef

Stefan Dennis, who plays Paul Robinson in “Neighbours,” was an apprentice chef before he became a full-time actor. He still enjoys whipping up culinary delights in the kitchen. “I became an apprentice chef on the Gold Coast so that I’d have something to fall back on if acting didn’t work out. I simply adore creative cooking and I specialise in buffets and smorgasbords.

“But acting remains my first priority and has for many years. My ultimate goal is film.” Dennis was a struggling actor for many years before getting his big break — a major role in "The Flying Doctors.” He played a lad from a poor family who fell in love with a grazier’s daughter. “In the last five years I’ve been very lucky. I’ve been fairly steadily employed. In addition to “Neighbours,” I do radio and TV voice-overs and

training films, but I’ve worked damn hard to get this far,” he says. He decided to branch out further, and in November last year, hot on the heels of fellow

“Neighbours” star Kylie Minogue’s success, he released his first single. “Don’t It Make You Feel Good.” Although comparisons are inevitable, Dennis in-

sists his style is all his own.

“I’m tackling a different side of music,” he says. “It’s dance-rock but it’s an individual style.” Dennis hopes the single will be released in the States and in England, where he completed a promotional tour before appearing in the "Neighbours" cast’s Royal Variety performance. But he has no plans just yet to bow out as Paul Robinson.

“My involvement in the series is great. I’m not sick of it.

“Acting is something I enjoy doing and there are not too many actors who are able to say that. It is very much a full-time commitment.”

In tonight’s episode of “Neighbours” — screening at 7 p.m. on Two — Daphne (Elaine Smith) makes peace with Sarah (Julia McDougall), and Helen (Anne Haddy) has a shock about the exhibition.