Jez and Ieuan had a dream to change their lives and to become pizza-makers extraordinaire. They bought an old Italian van, named it Smokey Pete, put an oven in the back of it and set off on a journey. Then they decided to enter the World Pizza Championship in Parma - the biggest challenge of their lives! Jez and Ieuz get some last-minute tips from their favourite Cardiff pizzeria and host their own special send-off before packing up Smokey Pete and hitting the road. The first stop is glorious San Sebastian, with its golden coastline and gastronomic delights, where the boys are treated to some Basque cider and learn about the traditional pinxto bars of the old town before taking their seats at the chef’s table in a very special restaurant. But this isn’t all plain sailing for the boys, as they’re challenged to make pizzas for a special party, hosted by a food society who think pizzas are for kids!
Pizza chefs Jez and Ieuz continue their adventure across Europe. In San Sebastian, they tour the city’s best tabernas, sampling pintxos. Next Bordeaux which means one thing: wine!
Jez and Ieuz have reached glamorous Monaco where they put Smokey Pete through his paces around the famous Grand Prix circuit. Does this three-stroke have what it takes? Just managing not to be overtaken by a cyclist would be a start.... The boys finally reach the spiritual home of pizza: Italy. Their first destination is the delightful town of Bardi. It’s a home from home in the mountains with a special connection to Wales. They witness a master at work at a favourite local pizzeria, try truffle-hunting in the mountains and then feel the pressure of cooking pizzas for Italians for the first time at a Bardi street party. All roads lead to Rome, just in time for Easter. There, they get to meet one of their all-time heroes who shows them a new technique he’s invented to make a new pizza using ice. Three wheels. Two pizza boys. And a top speed of 30mph!
The heat is on as chefs Jez and Ieuz arrive in the spiritual home of pizza, Naples, and take on a series of masterclasses with some of the most renowned pizzaiolos in the city.
For Jez and Ieuz, destiny awaits. It’s time for the boys to don their aprons and face the biggest challenge of their pizza-making lives. Three wheels. Two pizza boys. The ultimate challenge.
Pizza Boys Jez and Ieuz are back on the road with their loyal van Smokey Pete, on a dream adventure combining two of their favourite things - food and rugby! They plan to zigzag their way across France, visiting the vibrant cities where Wales play their Rugby World Cup group stage games: Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon, Nantes - and then finally on to Paris, where the World Cup final will light up the city. First up is Bordeaux, a city famous for its timeless charm, awe-inspiring architecture, quaint cobbled streets and of course, wine! No rugby trip is complete without a visit to one of Bordeaux’s famous vineyards. The boys visit Marche du Capucins, known as the 'belly of Bordeaux', and sample the Mexican twist on the pastries at one of the city’s most innovative patisseries. At a visit to a city centre dairy, they have to work for the mozzarella they need for the party, and at Azimut brewery, they meet the man who’s trying to turn this wine-loving region into a beer-loving one. Then, with eve
Having enjoyed the delights of Bordeaux, our intrepid duo are back on the road. They’ve donned their sunnies, picked up some factor 50 and are heading for the stunning sunshine of the French riviera and the Mediterranean city of Nice. First up, a trip to the Allianz Riviera where Wales will face off in their second group game against Portugal. Then it’s time to hit the strip – the Promenade des Anglais with its miles of golden sands calling. From there, a trip to the old town to meet food writer Rosa Jackson, a Canadian who's called Nice home for the last 20 years. After a whistle-stop tour of the glorious market to pick up some fresh ingredients, it’s back to Rosa’s little French kitchen for the Pizza Boys’ first lesson – ratatouille, Nicoise-style.
Lyon. The gastronomic capital of France – sounds pretty parfait for two Pizza Boys. Nestled in south eastern France, Lyon is a city where Welsh fans will be able to enjoy a rich history and vibrant culture in a captivating city. But, as always, before the food – rugby! So it’s off to see the stadium where the Welsh players will face off against Australia. Lyon’s old town is famed for its bouchons – restaurants, unique to the city, that specialise in using hyper-local ingredients to produce recipes that protect the gastronomy traditions the city has become famous for. Llanelli may be famous for the rugby playing Quinnells ,but Lyon is famous for quenelles, which are delicious dumplings filled with pike and coated in bechamel. Sausage-making next as the boys get their heads around andouillette, and then their hands around some rosette. Then it’s time to get a scoot on as it’s party time, and everyone they’ve met is invited to the pizza fiesta at the aptly named Ruck Hotel, nestled in
The Pizza Boys - Jez and Ieuz – are back on the road! With their loyal ‘Smokey Pete’, they’ve headed on an adventure combining two of their favourite things – food and rugby! They’re zig-zagging their way across France – visiting the vibrant cities where Wales will play in their Rugby World Cup group stage games. Up next, Nantes – the ancient capital of Brittany, nestled on the Loire river and a relatively new addition to France’s gastronomical scene. A visit to the stadium first, and from the stadium, to the city and beyond. As well as being a chance to learn about the Breton cheese of Gwell, a visit to cheesemonger Racines ignites the senses and sends the boys on an adventure out of the city and heading for the delightful fromagerie that produces the speciality. But there’s no cheese without milk, and no milk without cows – so farmer Nicolas has a job for the boys! Nestled so close to the Atlantic – Nantes offer the chance for some sea air; and as the boys dream up a surf and turf p
Paris. A city of romance, of food, of culture and that certain je ne sais quoi. The scene is set for an epic finale – both to the adventure and the world cup itself. Bring it on! The Stade de France will be alive with the sounds of the rugby whoever makes the final in an atmosphere like no other! And from the stadium – to the city on the hill; Montmarte. There the boys meet Yannique – food blogger and tour guide bubbling with the energy of a bottle of champagne. Her advice sets the boys on their way. Amone – the tiniest of Parisian kitchens, serving their take on the famous cordon bleu – street-food style – and from there it’s to the Bowler Pub to meet the players of the British Paris Rugby Club – who’re this year celebrating their 100 year birthday – so a pizza party to which they’re invited seems pretty legit! Paris is changing and its gastronomic scene with it – but well, the Pizza Boys can’t spend this much time in France without trying some of its traditions – and it may have take
