Why This Chef Left Success To Find Freedom Through Cooking Pizza In NZ

Ed Monteschio’s journey to culinary fulfillment is a story of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of passion. After years of managing three thriving restaurants and leading a team of 100 in Brazil, Ed appeared to have achieved culinary success. However, the immense pressure and mounting debts led to burnout, forcing him to reevaluate his life’s direction.
In 2019, Ed made the bold decision to leave behind the high-stress world of restaurant management and move to Christchurch, New Zealand. But before settling in Lyttelton, Ed spent time in London with his wife, Jeneve Williams. There, he immersed himself in the art of Neapolitan pizza-making, learning from two Italian masters at local markets. It wasn’t about making a profit or building a business; it was about rediscovering his love for pizza-making, rooted in authenticity and tradition.
Drawing inspiration from his Italian heritage in the Veneto region, Ed eventually opened Bomba, a cozy pizzeria in Lyttelton. There, he crafts each pizza with precision, using hand-made dough and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. His approach honors the simplicity and integrity he yearned for, blending his cultural roots with a newfound sense of culinary freedom.
At Bomba, Ed has found renewed joy in cooking, away from the pressures of his former career. This documentary follows his transformative journey, exploring how stepping away from conventional success allowed him to reconnect with his true passion and embrace the art of pizza-making with an open heart and a liberated spirit.
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