Picture this: you’re strolling along the Seine, the Eiffel Tower sparkling in the distance, when suddenly, your taste buds start a little tango. Sure, you can indulge in croissants and escargot, but then, hmmm…that unmistakable waft of wood-fire in the air…voilà! Peppe!

Ranked best Pizzaiolo in France, this pizzeria was founded by Giuseppe Cutraro, affectionately known as Peppe. A native Neapolitan, Peppe the pizza maker proudly represented France at the world Pizza Championship in Naples which he won hands down. Drop in to 11 Rue Etienne Marcel (2nd arrondissement) and select from classic Margheritas to gourmet toppings that would make even the most seasoned Italian chef nod in approval. Flavour recommendations?

Try the Campione del Mundo – yellow tomatoes, prosciutto, provolone, and mozzarella, roasted almonds and a touch of fig jam – ah bellissimo or should I say magnifique! But wait! What about Dessert?

Continue on the pizza trail by dropping into Cedric Grolet’s Coffee Cafe at 35 Av. De l’Opera (also in the 2nd arrondissement) where your dessert pizza king, with an infectious passion for the perfect pizza cookie, will serve you a slice that makes your decadent heart sing. Flavours?

Choose from Cacahuete (nuts), Fraise (strawberries), Framboise (raspberries), Pistache, Noisette (hazelnut) and Pecan. The cookies come pre-sliced and served in pizza boxes.

Pricey? Yes. Feast for the senses? Most definitely! Nutella crepes be damned! Embrace the unexpected darlings, and let the pizza adventure unfold in the City of Lights!

To find out, I combined my love of travel and writing and took myself off to a writer’s retreat conducted in the Tuscan mountains of Italy by the wonderful Lisa Clifford. (Read about that journey here: On finding one’s voice) From there I holed up in the Cinque Terre on the coast and started writing. Thing is, I was struggling to surface from a tsunami of grief at the time, and although my writing was cathartic as I spoke my truth, I questioned if the outcomes would be worth sharing beyond the laptop. That was 10 years ago.

Lisa Clifford

Have you always wanted to shape your words into a compelling story worth sharing? Super news fellow aspiring writers! Lisa (The Art of Writing) is bringing that same very special writing experience to Brisbane. In her words:

Even if you’ve simply been thinking of a story idea. Let’s write it. Even if you’ve never put pen to paper. Let’s do it. 

Now had I written those words, I’d have thrown a few exclamation marks in – my way of demonstrating my enthusiasm – something I need to temper? And what about that sentence – passive or active? And did I create a compelling call to action? I know Lisa and guests will have the answer.

Your story might be a novel, a memoir or a story line that’s stalled. Perhaps you need time to dream about that seed of an idea, or your keen to improve your blogging? Designed to bring your writing to life, Lisa and her guests will help you nail down the essentials of your story. I’ve signed up and hope you can join me!

Brisbane Art of Writing Retreat – The Essentials of Story

February 9-12th 2023 – West Village – Brisbane

Sign up here: The Art of Writing

See you there!