Last week I went to Paris. I haven’t been in 40 years, so I really didn’t know what to expect as my default for the last 30 years has been Italy! As we came out of the Gare du Nord in the rain, I have to admit I wasn’t getting that immediate ‘wow, we are here’, like you do when you come out of the train station in Venice.

However, as we pulled our suitcases and walked towards the hotel where we were staying, everything started to change. It became quieter and the cobbled, steep streets led us to Montmartre, where we were staying.

Suddenly, there were little cafes with candles and people sitting outside with blankets drinking wine and smoking (things haven’t changed that much in France); it had a real community feel. Even at 7pm, shops were open – boulangeries, fish stalls, gelateria and galleries (lots of galleries!). What suddenly struck me was the difference between our city centres and here.

In the UK, high streets seem to be full of Express supermarkets or convenience stores full of cheap soft drinks and vapes. In Montmartre, there was one supermarket with a tiny shop front but only fruit and vegetables on view from the street. I entered out of curiosity. It was practically empty but the boulangerie a few doors down had a queue of people waiting to buy fresh bread and delicious, and I mean really delicious, citron tartes etc.

This short break has reignited my desire for real food, made by passionate, hard working individuals. In France it seems that artisans are literally encouraged by the government to train to become the best at something and keep traditions alive.

If we can’t get excited by what we see and eat, what is the point? On our last evening, a member of the hotel staff recommended to us a restaurant just up the hill. He had made it his business to visit all the local restaurants so that he could recommend the ones he most admired to his customers (love it!).

We opened the door to Chez Pitou and immediately I felt excited. We were greeted by Pierre, who couldn’t have been more welcoming. Even though we were the first people there, it didn’t matter because it gave us more time to talk to him. He explained the menu in great detail, revealing an energy and passion for his food that really whet our appetites.

It was fascinating to listen to someone who clearly loves his craft so much. Chez Pitou now has to rank as one of my two favourite restaurants (alongside Arbequina in Oxford). I left feeling inspired to try and spread the word about this beautiful restaurant and to encourage more people in the UK to replicate all things simple, fresh, creative, artisan and full of joy.

I feel so alive and inspired after this trip, which means lots more energy will be channeled through the cookery school. So, if you travel to Paris or know of friends who are going there, please consider (in my humble opinion) these inspiring places to visit:

Chez Pitou – heavenly local, laid-back restaurant in Montmartre
Boulangerie Alexine – local haven for bread, cakes and sandwiches in Montmartre
Coeur Coffee Roasters – the best coffee outside 101 in Jericho (hehehehe)
404 Restaurant – Morrocan hidden gem of a restaurant in the centre of Paris
Hotel des Artes, Montmartre – without doubt the most friendly, welcoming and stylish place I have ever stayed in. As the staff kept saying, we want you to feel at home here… and you most certainly do!

Thank you for listening…

With love and gratitude Em x