AndrĂŠ Simon 2019
Food and Drink
Book Awards
Media Campaign conducted by tpr media consultants +44 (0)20 8347 7020 | sophie@tpr-media.com www.tpr-media.com
About the André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards 2019
André Louis Simon was the charismatic leader of the English wine trade for almost the entire first half of the 20th century, he wrote 104 books and for more than three decades he was one of London's leading champagne shippers. Although he lived in England from the age of 25, he always remained a French citizen. He was both Officier de la Légion d'Honneur and holder of the Order of the British Empire. In 1972, after his death, the André Simon Memorial Fund was set up. One objective of the fund is to benefit the public in the fields of food and drink, and one of the ways in which the fund meets this objective is through its prestigious annual Food & Drink Book Awards. This year, for the 41st awards, Niki Segnit assessed the food books and Dan Jago assessed the drink books. Books are judged on whether they are original, enjoyable, educational, and on their production values. While the food and drink assessors guide the trustees, the trustees' decision is final. The André Simon Food & Drink Book Award trustees are Nicholas Lander (chair), Sarah Jane Evans MW, David Gleave MW and Xanthe Clay. The John Avery Award was created to honour a founding trustee of the André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards. A great champion of food and drink writing, John Avery was also a respected wine merchant who played a key role in introducing New World wines to Britain. Each year, the chair and trustees are also able to award a Special Commendation for an outstanding book at their discretion and it is often awarded to new writing.
André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards 2019 winners: Josh Niland - The Whole Fish Cookbook - Hardie Grant (Food Award) Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson - The World Atlas of Wine 8th edition - Mitchell Beazley (Drink Award) Musa Dağdeviren - The Turkish Cookbook - Phaidon Press (Special Commendation) Tim Anderson - Tokyo Stories - Hardie Grant (John Avery Award)
Food Category
Drink Category
Social Media We ran the André Simon Instagram and Twitter account from November 2019 to February 2020. In this time, we grew both accounts, twitter by 150 followers and Instagram by over 200. We carried out five giveaways across Instagram and twitter, which helped attract people to the platforms. We also created bespoke posts on each of the shortlisted books, as well as the winning books after the awards. We set-up giveaways with Sainsbury’s Magazine (left) and Together TV (right).
The Sainsbury’s giveaway, in particular, gained a lot of traction with 41 retweets and 51 favourites. See below, one of our twitter posts (about The Way We Eat Now) next to an assortment of our Instagram posts arranged by reach (the post with the top reach was the winners announcement, seen by 1,702 people).
Coverage and Links
21/01/20 – BBC Robert Elms Show – Niki Segnit and Dan Jago interview https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07y809c 41:40 -54:42
Saturday Live Interview https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000ffc6 BBC Radio Saturday Live – 15 February 2020 – time 1:11:24
18/02/2020 https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/food-anddrink/cookbooks-recipes-food-lovers-lives-veganism-thewhole-ďŹ sh-the-turkish-cookbook- examined
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24/12/19 – Jancis Robinson https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/book-reviews-2019-guide
2/1/19 – Jancis Robinson (written by Tamlyn Currin) – Review https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/wines-french-alps-book-review
2/1/19 – Jancis Robinson – Review https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/french-alpine-aromas Client: Source: Date: Page: Reach: Value:
TPR Media Yellow News Jancisrobinson.com (Web) 24/12/2019 0 748 26.0000
Book reviews 2019 ? a guide It's book-review season again. We have tried to publish a few reviews of books Tam is particularly keen on in time for Christmas but there are still many more to come. Our picture shows the food and drink books shortlisted for this year's André Simon awards – all too few on wine, alas, though some of the titles reviewed by Tam were not submitted. Below are those of Tam's reviews we have published so far, with the most recent at the top. We will continue to add to the list. Also listed is Jancis's plug for the new edition of The World Atlas of Wine and photographer Jon Wyand's plug for his book on the Côte Chalonnaise. The Wines of Germany by Anne Krebiehl MW (Don't quote me) 24 December 2019 Italy's Native Wine Grape Terroirs by Ian D'Agata (Don't quote me) 23 December 2019 The Wines of Chablis and the Grand Auxerrois by Rosemary George MW (Don't quote me) 18 December 2019 Direct by Tony Laithwaite (Don't quote me) 17 December 2019 Vignette by Jane Lopes (Don't quote me) 9 December 2019 Wines of the French Alps by Wink Lorch (Don't quote me) 2 December 2019 The World Atlas of Wine (8th edition) by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson (Free for all) 7 September 2019 Côte Chalonnaise for wine lovers by Jon Wyand (Free for all) 21 August 2019 Novel entertainment: Brut Force by Peter Stafford-Bow, The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah and Vintage 1954 by Antoine Laurain (Don't quote me) 3 April 2019
12/12/19 – Drinks Business (Rupert Millar) https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2019/12/andre-simon-2019-shortlist-announced/
World Atlas of Wine Wins (Drinks Business) https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2020/01/world-atlas-of-wine-wins-andre-simon-award/
14/1/20 – Drinks Business – extract of A Brief History of Lager https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2020/01/andre-simon-awards-a-brief-history-of-lager/
23/01/20 - Drinks Business – World Atlas of Wine https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2020/01/andre-simon-awards-the-world-atlas-of-wine/
14/1/20 – Drinks Business- Wine Simple https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2020/01/andre-simon-award-wine-simple/
15/1/20 – Drinks Business – extract of Champagne https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2020/01/andre-simon-awards-encyclopedia-ofchampagne-and-sparkling-wine/
11. 17/1/20 – Drinks Business – Tales of the Tea Trade Extract https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2020/01/andre-simon-awards-tales-of-the-tea-trade/
11/12/19 – Bookseller https://www.thebookseller.com/news/andr-simon-food-drink-book-awards-shortlist-revealed1132936
21/01/20 – Bookseller https://www.thebookseller.com/news/andre-simon-food-drink-book-awards-hardie-grant1172041
28/1/20 – The Wordrobe https://thewordrobe.com/meet-the-chef-tim-anderson/
30/1/20 – The Wordrobe – Recipe from Tokyo Stories https://thewordrobe.com/tim-andersons-japanese-curry-filled-doughnuts/
7/1/20 – Diverse Japan Blog https://diversejapan.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/book-review-tokyo-stories-a-japanesecookbook
13/12/19 – Master of Malt https://www.masterofmalt.com/blog/post/the-nightcap-13-december.aspx
15/01/20 – Together TV https://www.togethertv.com/blog/giveaway-award-winning-food-and-drink-books
13/12/19 – Wine and Spirits Magazine https://www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com/news/entry/andre-simon-drink-book-awardsshortlist-announced
17/12/19 - Phaidon https://uk.phaidon.com/agenda/food/articles/2019/december/17/the-turkish-cookbook-isshortlisted-for-andre-simon-awards/
29/01/20 – Eastern Daily Press – This piece also appeared in the Swindon Advertiser and the Evening News (Norwich)
5
Japanese cookbooks to get your hands on now
W
ith the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics coming up this summer, and Japanese cherry blossom season (set to kick off in March) as popular as ever, the East Asian country is topping a lot of people’s ‘must-visit’ destination lists right now. Here are just a few recently published Japanese cookbooks to consider, to help you get started. Chopsticks and ramen bowls at the ready... 1. The Japanese Table: Small plates for simple meals by Sofia Hellsten (Hardie Grant, £18) If you’re looking to know how to structure a Japanese meal at home, The Japanese Table by Swedish-born food writer, Sofia Hellsten, sets things out clearly, and quite beautifully. Revolving around the Japanese idea of ‘ichijuu-sansai’ meaning ‘one soup, three dishes’, she starts with the satisfying comfort of gohan - a simple bowl of white rice, before introducing umami-rich soups (miso, of course), and slightly larger accompaniments. There’s
From sushi and noodles to yakitori and ramen, make this the year you get to grips with Japanese cuisine. sweet miso cod, yuzu aubergine, ginger-pickled Chinese leaf, as well as a whole section on different teas to serve too. 2. The Gaijin Cookbook: Japanese Recipes From a Chef, Father, Eater, and Lifelong Outsider by Ivan Okrin and Chris Ying (Rux Martin/ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, £23.99) ‘Gaijin’ means non-Japanese, or outsider, but while author Ivan Okrin might be a white, Jewish New Yorker, three decades spent living in Tokyo and a brace of ramen shops to his name make him a very trusted devotee to Japanese food. The cookbook applies Japanese recipes and twists to everyday problems and scenarios, so you can whip up Japanese spaghetti with tomato sauce (aka ketchup) and miso mushroom chilli, and feel sated, soothed, and pretty contented with yourself.
3. Tokyo Stories by Tim Anderson (Hardie Grant, £26) Former MasterChef winner Tim Anderson, who runs London Japanese soul food restaurant Nanban, has just won a prestigious Andre Simon cookbook award for the hugely colourful and enticing Tokyo Stories. His next recipe collection, Vegan Japaneasy, is out in March, but you can pore over his culinary love letter to Tokyo until then. The bright pink pages are mesmeric, and you will find yourself desperate to make omurice - Japanese omelette over rice - and a strawberry kando (sandwich). Ultimate comfort food. 4. Food Artisans of Japan: Recipes and Stories by Nancy Singleton Hachisu (Hardie Grant, £25) Recipes from seven chefs, bolstered by 24 stories from Japanese food artisans, this
André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards Announce 2019 Shortlist
The Chair and Trustees of the prestigious annual André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards have announced the shortlist for 2019 in the run-up to Christmas. The nominated books celebrate the best of contemporary food and drink writing and were selected from over 150 submissions. The panel was guided by this year’s independent assessors: award-winning author Niki Segnit for the food books and wine expert Dan Jago for the drink books. Nicholas Lander, Chair of the André Simon Memorial Fund, commented: ‘The books are deliciously wide-ranging in theme and approach this year. In the spotlight are cuisines from Burma (Burma: Food, Family & Conflict), Turkey (The Turkish Cookbook) and Japan (Tokyo Stories), alongside drink books which range from A Brief History of Lager by Mark Dredge to Tales of the Tea Trade by Michelle and Rob Comins.’
Shortlisted Food Books 2019 Burma: Food, Family & Conflict
Bridget Anderson and Stephen Anderson
Ma Khin Markets S.L.
Leaf: Lettuce, Greens, Herbs, Weeds – Over 120 Recipes that Celebrate Varied, Versatile Leaves
Catherine Phipps
Quadrille
A Cheesemonger’s History of The British Isles
Ned Palmer
Profile Books
The Forager's Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests
John Wright
Profile Books
The Turkish Cookbook
Musa Dağdeviren
Phaidon Press
The Vinegar Cupboard: Recipes and History of an Everyday Ingredient
Angela Clutton
Bloomsbury Absolute
The Way We Eat Now
Bee Wilson
4th Estate
The Whole Fish Cookbook: New Ways to Josh Niland Cook, Eat and Think
Hardie Grant
Tokyo Stories: A Japanese Cookbook
Hardie Grant
Tim Anderson
Shortlisted Drink Books 2019 A Brief History of Lager: 500 Years of the World’s Favourite Beer
Mark Dredge
Kyle Books
Christie's Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wine (4th edition)
Tom Stevenson and Essi Avellan Bloomsbury Absolute MW
Drinkology: The Science of What We Drink and What It Does to Us, from Milks to Martinis
Alexis Willett
Robinson
Tales of the Tea Trade: The Secret to Sourcing and Enjoying the World's Favourite Drink
Michelle and Rob Comins
Pavilion Books
Wines of the French Alps: Savoie, Bugey and Beyond with Local Food and Travel Tips
Wink Lorch
Wine Travel Media
The World Atlas of Wine (8th edition)
Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson
Mitchell Beazley
Wine Simple: A Totally Approachable Guide from a World-Class Sommelier
Aldo Sohm with Christine Muhlke
Clarkson Potter
FOOD Burma: Food, Family & Conflict by Bridget Anderson and Stephen Anderson combines original historical research, family stories, and distinctive regional recipes to give a flavour of life and struggles from colonial Burma to contemporary Myanmar. Tokyo Stories is a journey through the boulevards and backstreets of Tokyo via recipes both iconic and unexpected. Chef Tim Anderson draws inspiration from chefs, shopkeepers and home cooks to showcase both traditional and cutting-edge takes on classic dishes. Musa Dağdeviren, featured in Netflix’s Chef’s Table, has written The Turkish Cookbook, which celebrates the diversity of authentic Turkish cuisine, with 550 recipes that explore the country’s European and Asian culinary heritage. The Way We Eat Now, by former André Simon winner Bee Wilson, is about the good, the terrible and the avocado toast. Her book explores how modern food, in all its complexity, has transformed our lives and our world. In The Forager’s Calendar, John Wright brings decades of experience, including as forager at the River Cottage, to this month-by-month guide. It includes tips on how to fry an ant, make rosehip syrup and cook a hop omelette. Cheesemonger Ned Palmer takes us on a delicious journey across Britain and Ireland in A Cheesemonger’s History of The British Isles. He uncovers the histories of beloved old favourites like Cheddar and Wensleydale and fresh innovations such as the Irish Cashel Blue or the rambunctious Renegade Monk. From lettuce and herbs, through cabbages and even tea, Catherine Phipps explores the world of culinary leaves through meticulous research, evocative writing and foolproof recipes in Leaf. Food writer and historian Angela Clutton’s The Vinegar Cupboard demonstrates the many great ways vinegars can be used to balance and enhance flavours and enable modern cooks to make the most of this ancient ingredient. In The Whole Fish Cookbook, Sydney’s ground-breaking seafood chef Josh Niland reveals a completely new way to think about all aspects of fish cookery and urges fish to be treated with exactly the same noseto-tail reverence as meat.
Food assessor Niki Segnit said: ‘One of the key tasks for the André Simon food assessor is to look for works that shine new light on the subject. This year has been nothing short of incandescent. Among the shortlisted books there is a fascinating culinary history of Burma and a vertiginous tour of the food and drink of Tokyo. There is a deep dive into vinegar and a study of Turkish cuisine that, at 511 pages, is described by its author as “only a glimpse”. A sobering exploration of modern eating habits is joined by a happier account of British cheesemaking. Finally, the possibilities for a greener, healthier approach to food are laid out in a book dedicated to leaves, a nose-to-fin celebration of fish, and an accessible guide to foraging.’
DRINK From the world-renowned sommelier Aldo Sohm, Wine Simple is a dynamic, essential wine guide for a new generation. His debut book includes confidence-building infographics and illustrations, an unbeatable depth of knowledge and encouragement to novices. Former André Simon winner Wink Lorch’s latest book Wines of the French Alps turns the spotlight onto Savoie and Bugey. It tells the story of the men and women who make the characterful wines from these regions, how they have tamed the steep hillsides to plant the vines and mastered their unusual grape varieties. The World Atlas of Wine by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson made publishing history when it first appeared in 1971. It is recognised by critics as the most authoritative wine reference work. This eighth edition will bring readers, both old and new, up to date with the world of wine. Christie’s Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wine (fourth edition) by Tom Stevenson and Essi Avellan provides a country-by-country guide to sparkling wine, from the finest Champagnes of France to the lesser-known sparkling wine producers of China. From the impact of 500-year-old purity laws to a scrupulously researched exploration of modern beer gardens, Mark Dredge has delved deep into the story of the world’s favourite beer in A Brief History of Lager. Drinkology, by physician Alexis Willett, is a scientific digest of many of the world’s most popular beverages, from milks to martinis. Among other things, it exposes the pseudoscience behind the marketing of what we consume. Join Michelle and Rob Comins on a fascinating journey into the lives of those who plant, pluck and process tea in Tales of the Tea Trade. Learn about the provenance of the plant, the regions of the world where tea is grown and even the producers of teaware. Drink assessor Dan Jago said: ‘I was delighted and very honoured to be asked to be the drinks books assessor for the André Simon Awards this year. On offer has been a plethora of talent and knowledge from around the world, north to south and coast to coast, the authors display a huge breath of research. We looked for great works that will remain on your shelf for many years to come, giving pleasure and value time after time. Every book on the shortlist will give readers huge pleasure.’
NOTES TO EDITORS ABOUT ANDRÉ SIMON André Louis Simon was the charismatic leader of the English wine trade for almost the entire first half of the 20th century, and the grand old man of literate connoisseurship for a further 20 years. In 66 years of authorship, he wrote 104 books. For 33 years he was one of London’s leading Champagne shippers; for another 33 years active president of the Wine & Food Society. Although he lived in England from the age of 25, he always remained a French citizen. He was both Officier de la Légion d’Honneur and a holder of the Order of the British Empire. In 1972, after the death of André Simon, the André Simon Memorial Fund was set up. One objective of the fund is to benefit the public in the fields of food and drink, and one of the ways in which the fund meets this objective is through its prestigious annual Food & Drink Book Awards.
ABOUT THE ANDRÉ SIMON FOOD & DRINK BOOK AWARDS Founded in 1978, the André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards are the only awards in the UK to exclusively recognise the achievements of food and drink writers and are the longest continuous running awards of their kind. The first two awards were given to Elizabeth David and Rosemary Hume for their outstanding contribution in the fields of food and cooking. Other winners include Michel Roux, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Nigel Slater, Rick Stein, Hugh Johnson and Oz Clarke. The Trustees of the André Simon Memorial Fund are pleased to announce that they will make awards to the winning authors of new works published in 2019. There are two categories for entry: food, and wine, drinks and beverages. For the winner of each category there will be an award of £2,000. In addition, there will be an award of £1,500 in honour of John Avery and the Special Commendation Award of £1,500 – both of these are at the discretion of the judges. The main criteria against which the works are judged are: • The work shall contain a substantial proportion of original research and not simply be a re-arrangement of existing material. • Great importance will be attached to the educational value of the work. • The books chosen are likely to be ones that are pleasurable to read and not just professional textbooks. • The book should be well produced. When judging the books, the Trustees have the help and advice of two independent assessors. In 2019 Niki Segnit has kindly agreed to assess the food books and Dan Jago is assessing the drink books. Judging will be in the hands of the Trustees. Their decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. The André Simon Food & Drink Book Award Trustees are Nicholas Lander (Chair), Sarah Jane Evans MW, David Gleave MW and Xanthe Clay. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in central London on Monday 20 January, an event that’s become an annual celebration of Britain’s best food and drink writing.
ABOUT NIKI SEGNIT – FOOD ASSESSOR Niki Segnit’s first book, The Flavour Thesaurus, won the André Simon Award for best food book in 2010. It has sold over a quarter of a million copies in the UK and been translated into 14 languages. Her critically acclaimed second book, Lateral Cooking, was shortlisted for the 2018 André Simon Awards and has been translated into five languages. On BBC Radio 4 she has contributed to The Kitchen Cabinet and Word of Mouth, and she reviews for The Times Literary Supplement.
ABOUT DAN JAGO – DRINK ASSESSOR Dan has been involved in the drinks business for most of his working life. Following his father, Tom, into the drinks’ trade after nine years in the Royal Navy he worked for Layton’s, Bibendum, Tesco and, most recently, as Chief Executive of Berry Bros & Rudd. Dan lives in Dorset and London with his wife and two daughters, the elder of whom has now followed the family path into the wine industry.
For further information, please contact Sophie Toumazis or Rasha Ali Sheikh at tpr media consultants sophie@tpr-media.com or rasha@tpr.media.com. Phone +44 (0)208 347 7020 or +44 (0)7974 428858
International Chefs Scoop Three Out Four André Simon Awards 2019
LONDON, 20 JANUARY 2020 – Three of the four André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards 2019 were awarded to worldrenowned chefs on Monday 20 January, at the Goring Hotel in London. The prestigious awards showcase the best of contemporary food and drink writing and are now in their 41st year. The judging panel was guided by this year’s independent assessors: awardwinning author Niki Segnit for the food books and wine expert Dan Jago for the drink books. Josh Niland’s The Whole Fish Cookbook is the winner of the 2019 Food Award. In this book Sydney’s groundbreaking seafood chef Josh Niland reveals an original way to think about all aspects of fish cookery for every skill level. The Whole Fish Cookbook brings an approachability to the idea that fish isn’t the smelly, slimy and bony ingredient that strikes fear into all of us, but is rather something that is individual – species to species and piece to piece – each coming with its own characteristics and a method of cookery that suits it best. According to Niki Segnit: “In The Whole Fish Cookbook, Josh Niland applies nosetotail principles to seafood. This remarkably creative and surprising book encourages us to waste less seafood by making meatinspired dishes, like fish black pudding, marlin ham and sea trout Wellington. An instant classic.” Former MasterChef champion Tim Anderson won the John Avery Award for Tokyo Stories. This book takes readers on a journey through the boulevards and backstreets of Tokyo via recipes, both iconic and unexpected. Anderson takes inspiration from the chefs, shopkeepers, and home cooks of Tokyo to showcase traditional and cuttingedge takes on classic dishes such as sushi and tempura. Tim tackles his food tour of Tokyo from the lower ground floor (Department Store Basements and Convenience Stores) all the way up to the fifth floor (experimental Japanese food found in highend hotel bars). This is make athome Japanese food, authentic yet achievable – without cutting corners. Niki Segnit comments: “Tokyo Stories takes us from street level to the summits of Tokyo cuisine. A fun and uplifting read.” Musa Dağdeviren won a Special Commendation for The Turkish Cookbook, which celebrates the diversity of authentic Turkish cuisine, with 550 recipes that explore the country’s European and Asian culinary heritage. The book’s author is Turkey’s most acclaimed chef and featured in the latest series of the Netflix show Chef’s Table. He also runs three restaurants in the heart of Istanbul, where he cultivates a great passion for authentic Turkish cuisine with modern flourishes. Into this book Musa Dağdeviren has poured all his passion for the culinary heritage of his homeland – showcasing the most cherished and nostalgic recipes from the cultural landscape of Turkey. Niki Segnit says: “The Turkish Cookbook is a vast, bejewelled box of Turkish delights.” The World Atlas of Wine 8th edition by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson won the Drink Award. This 8th edition is designed to bring readers, both old and new, up to date with the world of wine. To reflect all the changes in the global wine scene over the past six years, the Atlas has grown to 416 pages and 22 new maps have been added to the wealth of cartography in the book. The text has been given a complete overhaul to address the topics of most vital interest to today’s winegrowers and drinkers. Dan Jago, remarked: “One of the key criteria for the André Simon book awards is ‘Will I still be referring to it in ten years’ time?’ With The World Atlas of Wine, I am certain that the answer is yes. It has seen many changes over the past 48 years since the 1st edition was published, but the 8th takes the depth of information and reference to a whole new level. With superior writing, detailed cartography and fine photography, it has always been recognised by the wine trade and critics alike as the essential and most authoritative wine reference work; it is totally deserving of this recognition, especially in Hugh’s 80th year, and his 60th year of wine writing.”
André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards 2019 winners: Josh Niland The Whole Fish Cookbook Hardie Grant (Food Award) Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson The World Atlas of Wine 8th edition - Mitchell Beazley (Drink Award) Musa Dağdeviren The Turkish Cookbook Phaidon Press (Special Commendation) Tim Anderson Tokyo Stories Hardie Grant (John Avery Award)
SHORTLISTED BOOKS This year’s shortlisted authors – selected from over 150 submissions – also included Bridget Anderson and Stephen Anderson (Burma: Food, Family & Conflict Ma Khin Markets S.L.), Bee Wilson (The Way We Eat Now 4th Estate), John Wright (The Forager’s Calendar Profile Books), Ned Palmer (A Cheesemonger’s History of The British Isles Profile Books), Catherine Phipps (Leaf: Lettuce, Greens, Herbs, Weeds Quadrille), Angela Clutton (The Vinegar Cupboard Bloomsbury Absolute), Aldo Sohm with Christine Muhlke (Wine Simple Clarkson Potter), Wink Lorch (Wines of the French Alps Wine Travel Media), Tom Stevenson and Essi Avellan MW (Christie’s Encyclopedia of Champagne and Sparkling Wine – 4th edition Bloomsbury Absolute), Mark Dredge (A Brief History of Lager Kyle Books), Alexis Willett (Drinkology - Robinson), Michelle and Rob Comins (Tales of the Tea Trade Pavilion Books). Founded in 1978, the André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards are the only awards in the UK to exclusively recognise the achievements of food and drink writers and are the longest continuous running awards of their kind. The first two awards were given to Elizabeth David and Rosemary Hume for their outstanding contribution in the fields of food and cooking. Other winners include Michel Roux, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Nigel Slater and Rick Stein. www.andresimon.co.uk
ABOUT NIKI SEGNIT – FOOD ASSESSOR Niki Segnit’s first book, The Flavour Thesaurus, won the André Simon Award for best food book in 2010. It has sold over a quarter of a million copies in the UK and been translated into 14 languages. Her critically acclaimed second book, Lateral Cooking, was shortlisted for the 2018 André Simon Awards and has been translated into five languages. On BBC Radio 4 she has contributed to The Kitchen Cabinet and Word of Mouth, and she reviews for The Times Literary Supplement. ABOUT DAN JAGO – DRINK ASSESSOR Dan Jago has been involved in the drinks’ business for most of his working life. Following his father, Tom, into the drinks’ trade after nine years in the Royal Navy he worked for Layton’s, Bibendum, Tesco and, most recently, as Chief Executive of Berry Bros & Rudd. Dan lives in Dorset and London with his wife and two daughters, the elder of whom has now followed the family path into the wine industry.
NOTES TO EDITORS ABOUT THE ANDRÉ SIMON FOOD & DRINK BOOK AWARDS André Louis Simon was the charismatic leader of the English wine trade for almost the entire first half of the 20th century, he wrote 104 books and for more than three decades he was one of London’s leading champagne shippers. Although he lived in England from the age of 25, he always remained a French citizen. He was both Officier de la Légion d’Honneur and holder of the Order of the British Empire. In 1972, after his death, the André Simon Memorial Fund was set up. One objective of the fund is to benefit the public in the fields of food and drink, and one of the ways in which the fund meets this objective is through its prestigious annual Food & Drink Book Awards. This year Niki Segnit assessed the food books and Dan Jago assessed the drink books. Books are judged on whether they are original, enjoyable, educational, and on their production values. While the food and drink assessors guide the trustees, the trustees’ decision is final. The André Simon Food & Drink Book Award trustees are Nicholas Lander (chair), Sarah Jane Evans MW, David Gleave MW and Xanthe Clay. The John Avery Award was created to honour a founding trustee of the André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards. A great champion of food and drink writing, John Avery was also a respected wine merchant who played a key role in introducing New World wines to Britain. Each year, the chair and trustees are also able to award a Special Commendation for an outstanding book at their discretion and it is often awarded to new writing.
For further information, contact Sophie Toumazis at tpr media consultants via email at sophie@tpr-media.com or Rasha Ali-Sheikh rasha@tpr-media.com call on +44(0)208 347 7020 or +44(0)7974 428858