A Piece of Zoe

Papalino


















Today, I will share with you the story of my dad, Pierre.

Born and raised in Zurich, Petit-Pierre (little Pierre) lived with his brother Marc and parents Adrien and Francoise. His dad was a poly-technician- one of the highest degrees available in France (which requires getting accepted into a 'Grandes Ecole') and his mother stayed at home and looked after her two sons. My dad was a happy child his main interests (ironically) being food,  and the collection of marbles. He participated in the Zurich opera as he had/has one of the most extraordinary voices. 

At the tender age of 8, my dad lost his mother in a tragic accident and less than 4 years later, his father died of cancer. The children were then left in Zurich and continued their schooling there.
When he turned 18 and was naturally supposed to inherit his fortune (left by his parents) so that he could go and study abroad and have basic living money, he came to the quick realisation that his fortune had been taken away from him by a family member and there was nothing he could do. I tell you that fact because to highlight the the point that everything I am about to tell you about my dads career and achievements is self-made.

After school my dad moved to Paris and was scouted by the incredible COMME DE GARÇONS, VIVIENNE WESTWOOD and KENZO to model in Paris.
During the same time period (him being in his early twenties) he made contact with his childhood friend (of the age of about 7)... my mother. She was working in Cologne at the time and he was in the very early stages of opening up his first restaurant with his best friend, Aldo in Paris. They started seeing each other every weekend, meeting up in different cities near both of them. After a year or so, I was born. My mother was working at the music company EMI at the time, she proceeded to quit her job and moved to Paris to be with my dad. A few months into the pregnancy, my dad opened his restaurant... it was called La Bocca ("The mouth" in Italian). My favourite story I used to hear when I was little is that when my mom called my dad to tell him she was pregnant, he bought his entire restaurant a round of drinks and started screaming happily (and a few joyful French swear words) that he was going to have 'petit bebe'. Their relationship didn't end up working out and my mom moved back to Cape Town whilst my dad stayed in Paris. When I left, my dad got a tattoo of a valentine heart with a dagger through it with the words 'Zoe Pour Toujour' (Zoe Forever) plastered around the picture. He visited me in Cape Town about 4 times a year and sent me a postcard every week of my childhood up until the age of about 7.

He sold La Bocca and went onto his next business venture, La Cremerie ("The Creamery" in French). It became one of the best addresses in Paris for natural wine and good, simple, Italian food. 
La Cremerie did incredibly well but after four years, my dad decided he wanted to invest in a different type of business (more focused on his natural wines) so he sold La Cremerie and bought a space in 2007 in Frances capital's oldest covered arcade (Passage Du Panorama). Using only the finest ingredients, meticulously sourced from across France and Italy, my dad had another hit on his hands. After only two months, Racine won the prestigious Le Fooding prize (www.lefooding.com) for the best place to eat in Paris.

After Racines, in 2011, my dad opened his current restaurant in the 10th arrondissement. He called it Vivant ("Living" in French) also based on his love for natural wines. It was no surprise that it would be beautiful but when you walk into Vivant, you are immediately struck upon entering by my dads knack for uncovering hidden gems. The space was an exotic bird shop in its previous life. It has a faded charm about it and a cool ambience. He has received amazing applaud for his latest creation such as a visit and interview request from Anthony Bourdain, various article and interview requests (Elle etc) and he was even a guest on various cooking programmes on French television. 

Pierre has an obsession with authenticity and a great dedication to pure, unsulphured wines (which he claims, prevent any hangovers?) www.morethanorganic is his website and it is an expression of his philosophy and his passion. It has quickly become the number one resource for information revolving organic, natural wine.

Gateau De Zoe (A cake named after me)

He has been through more than most have in their lives but luckily, he discovered his passion early on in life and I have no doubt his career in the restaurant business will continue to flourish. If you are ever in Paris- Phone Number: +33 1 42 46 43 55 and Address: 43 rue des Petites Ecuries. Here are three things you should expect when entering his restaurant: 
1. A bunch of crazy passionate people talking a variety of languages and working together in a small space (very entertaining, that I promise you)
2. The most exquisite interior that will cause you to want to examine every small detail. 
3. The most DELICIOUS, best-quality food (If I may say so myself). 
I couldn't be prouder of of my dad... for everything he's accomplished from scratch and thats why I love telling his story, T'aime Papa.

X Zo