From Newsrooms to Global Nomadism
- Foundations in Hard News (1990s): Cut her teeth at The Cairns Post under editor Alan Hudson, covering everything from crime beats to tropical cyclone reporting.
- Transatlantic Storytelling (Late 1990s): Filed dispatches for The Guardian Travel (UK) while backpacking through 37 countries, developing her signature style of place-based storytelling.
- Culinary Curation Era (2002-2015): As Chief Sub-Editor at delicious. magazine, she shaped Australia's food discourse while editing cookbooks for chefs like Neil Perry.
- Freelance Renaissance (2015-Present): Hybridizes roles as writer, editor, and tourism consultant for clients ranging from Qantas to Destination NSW.
Defining Works
- A luxe treetop stay at Silky Oaks Lodge is drenched in serenity (Australian Traveller)This 2023 piece exemplifies Grossetti's ability to decode luxury through an ecological lens. By framing Silky Oaks Lodge as "where Daintree rainforest becomes architecture," she dissects sustainable tourism's paradoxes – the carbon footprint of helicopter transfers versus rewilding initiatives. The article's structure mirrors a degustation menu, with each section course (accommodation, dining, spa) paired with locavore sourcing details. Her interview with Guugu Yimithirr elders about traditional land use elevates it beyond typical resort coverage.
- The best Coffs Harbour markets to visit: from food trucks to pottery (Australian Traveller)Grossetti turns market curation into cultural criticism here. She doesn't just list stalls but analyzes how the Sawtell Farmers' Market reflects the Northern Rivers' artisanal economy. The piece functions as a gastronomic walking tour, complete with GPS-worthy details: "Follow the smell of single-origin coffee past the third-generation cheesemonger." Her profile of Vietnamese refugee-turned-sauce-maker Lien Tran showcases her knack for embedding migration narratives into food writing.
- New Mykonos resort is perfect for food lovers (delicious.com.au)This 2022 article demonstrates her global lens applied to Hellenic cuisine. Grossetti frames Mykonos' Deos Resort as a case study in "post-pandemic luxury" through its hyperlocal sourcing network – the 5km ingredient radius from foraged capers to Aegean-caught bream. Her dissection of the resort's "deconstructed moussaka" becomes a metaphor for modern Greek identity. The piece balances critical analysis with practical advice, including a sidebar on pairing ouzo cocktails with sunset views.
Strategic Pitching Framework
1. Australian Regional Food Ecosystems
Grossetti prioritizes stories exploring how regional producers shape destination identities. Pitch her profiles of NSW South Coast oyster farmers influencing restaurant menus, or Tasmanian whisky distilleries driving agritourism. Avoid generic "best of" lists – she seeks supply chain narratives like her Coffs Harbour market analysis showing how macadamia growers supply local patisseries.
2. Family Travel Reimagined
Her Australian Traveller pieces reveal interest in multigenerational experiences blending education with indulgence. Successful pitches might include: "How Kangaroo Valley's glamping sites teach kids regenerative agriculture through truffle hunting." Contrast with her avoidance of theme park coverage.
3. Luxury Through First Nations Lens
Note her Silky Oaks Lodge piece's focus on Guugu Yimithirr partnerships. Pitch stories where five-star amenities integrate Indigenous knowledge – think spa treatments using Kakadu plum harvested via traditional methods. Avoid tokenistic cultural references.
4. Culinary Diplomacy Case Studies
Grossetti often highlights food as cultural bridge-building. A strong pitch: "Lebanese immigrants reshaping Orange's wine country through vine leaf-to-table restaurants." Her Mykonos article model shows the value of historical context – how Ottoman influences shape modern Greek resorts.
5. Health Tourism Synthesis
She connects wellness trends with destination development. Pitch examples: "How Margaret River's surf instructors collaborate with nutritionists on gut-health menus." Avoid generic detox retreat coverage.
Awards and Industry Recognition
- 2016 Australian Society of Travel Writers Award for Best Food Travel StoryHer Hyderabad biryani exploration beat 87 entries by framing the dish as geopolitical artifact – tracing recipes from Mughal courts to modern street vendors. Judges praised the "layered analysis of how Partition reshaped subcontinental cuisine."
- 2023 Tourism Australia Editorial Excellence Citation
- Awarded for her NSW South Coast series that increased regional visitation by 18% post-publication. The jury noted her "innovative use of gastronomic trails to drive dispersal tourism."
