Heidi Brand

After winning first prize in an English Creative Writing competiton at school it took me over twenty years to re-discover the world of writing.

I left England in 2005 to live full-time in Provence, in the South-East of France. I took this opportunity to study writing via a correspondence course. I write on a variety of subjects and when I'm not researching or producing articles I spend my time editing my first novel, working on my second novel and numerous short stories.

Living in Provence has revived my appetite for cooking and spending time wandering through the markets savouring the abundance of fresh, local ingredients is most definately a joy not a chore. Being immersed in the French attitude to food and cuisine is extremely inspirational.

I was diagnosed, relatively recently, with a food allergy and this has meant changes to my eating habits and adopting a different life style; but the discovery of new recipes and methods of adapting old favourites into new and interesting dishes is something I relish.

By joining Suite 101.com as a contributing writer, my aim is to share my knowledge and discoveries as well as expanding and developing my writing skills and portfolio.