Never let the past follow too closely . . . Leopold S Lurdan Leopold S Lurdan, an internationally acclaimed food writer and feared restaurant reviewer is an old school friend of Marco Bragg, a successful celebrity chef, entrepreneur and television personality. Lurdan is embarking upon his 'Italian Project', a culinary journey tracking through the streets of Rome to the hill top towns of Piedmont, researching his new book on the regional cucina of Italy, Lurdan On The Food And Culinary Traditions Of Central And Northern Italy. A rambunctious critic of the fusion movement, Lurdan detests innovation for its sake alone. Lurdan and Bragg are seeking rapprochement after a series of increasingly bitter exchanges in their respective newspaper columns following Lurdan's latest scathing review of Sol Invictus, Bragg's widely acclaimed flagship restaurant. The recently remarried Bragg and his young wife Tiffany who are honeymooning in Italy have been invited to spend an indulgent weekend at La Fortuna, Lurdan's restored 18th century villa. Coming together again, the friends retrace their lives from school days through to the professional success each has enjoyed, on a weekend that will change their lives forever . . .