9th April 2024: The shortlist for the annual Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards has been revealed. The exciting list of finalists covers subjects diverse as the British chippy, fermentation, medlars and wisdom from Greek grandmothers.
The shortlist includes an epic exploration of China’s culinary culture; a timely book on how ultra-processed foods have impacted our lives; a radio programme looking at food under siege in Gaza; a TV series devoted to Italian food; and a podcast that interviews our favourite food writers.
The awards acknowledge illuminating writing across a range of subjects and media platforms; broadcast and audio programmes that entertain; and the creative work of photographers that visually delight. These prestigious awards champion the achievements of current and emerging writers, publishers, photographers, broadcasters and personalities who encourage us to enjoy, experience and broaden our appreciation of food and drink through their work.
The shortlist is chosen by an independent panel of expert judges in 13 categories from work published or broadcast during 2023.
The winners will be announced on Thursday, 2nd May at Fortnum & Mason, The Royal Exchange, hosted by Chef and Broadcaster Andi Oliver, alongside Angela Hartnett OBE, Judging Panel Chair.
FORTNUM & MASON FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS 2024 SHORTLIST
FOOD BOOK
Invitation to a Banquet: The Story of Chinese Food by Fuchsia Dunlop (Particular Books, Penguin Random House)
Of Cabbages & Kimchi by James Read (Particular Books, Penguin Random House)
Welcome to Our Table: A Celebration of What Children Eat Everywhere by Laura Mucha and Ed Smith with illustrations by Harriet Lynas (Nosy Crow)
DEBUT FOOD BOOK
Food of the Cods: How Fish and Chips Made Britain by Daniel Gray (HarperNorth)
Medlars: Growing & Cooking by Jane Steward (Prospect Books)
Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken (Cornerstone Press, Penguin Random House)
COOKERY BOOK
Comfort & Joy: Irresistible Pleasures from a Vegetarian Kitchen by Ravinder Bhogal (Bloomsbury)
Frontières: A chef’s celebration of French cooking by Alex Jackson (Pavilion)
Gohan: Everyday Japanese Cooking: Memories and stories from my family’s kitchen by Emiko Davies (Smith Street Books)
Yiayia: Time-perfected Recipes from Greece’s Grandmothers by Anastasia Miari (Hardie Grant)
DEBUT COOKERY BOOK
A New Way to Bake: Re-imagined Recipes for Plant-based Cakes, Bakes and Desserts by Philip Khoury (Hardie Grant)
The Art of Friday Night Dinner by Eleanor Steafel (Bloomsbury)
The Secret of Cooking by Bee Wilson (4th Estate)
DRINK BOOK
Peat and Whisky: The Unbreakable Bond by Mike Billett (Saraband)
Slow Drinks: A Field Guide to Foraging and Fermenting Seasonal Sodas, Botanical Cocktails, Homemade Wines, and More by Danny Childs (Hardie Grant)
Vines in a Cold Climate by Henry Jeffreys (Allen & Unwin)
DEBUT DRINK BOOK
Desi Pubs: A guide to British-Indian pubs, food and culture by David Jesudason (CAMRA)
How to Drink Australian by Jane Lopes & Jonathan Ross (Murdoch Books)
Talha Tales: Portugal’s Ancient Answer to Amphora Wines by Paul James White (White Ridgeway)
COOKERY WRITER
Fliss Freeborn for work in Student Cuisine for the Gloomy Teen
Melek Erdal for work in Vittles & The Guardian
Ravinder Bhogal for work in Waitrose Food Magazine
FOOD WRITER
Ajesh Patalay for work in the Financial Times
Mark Diacono for work in Abundance (Substack)
Mike Daw for work in The Independent
DRINK WRITER
Adam Wells for work in Cider Review
Nina Caplan for work in The Times & Club Oenologique
Tamlyn Currin for work in Jancis Robinson
RESTAURANT WRITER
Isaac Rangaswami for work in Vittles
Olivia Potts for work in Manchester Confidential
Tim Hayward for work in the Financial Times
PROGRAMME
Britain’s Favourite Cheese at Christmas, narrated by Dawn French, Directors: Pete Lawrence & Amena Hasan (Hungry Gap Productions)
Junior Bake Off, Presenters: Harry Hill, Liam Charles & Ravneet Gill, Executive Producers:
Oliver Manley, Kieran Smith & Letty Kavanagh, Series Producer: Charlotte Armstrong, Series Director: Nick Berry (Love Productions)
Sophie Grigson – Slice of Italy S2, Presenter Sophie Grigson, Series Director: Stuart Bateup, Executive Producer: Katie Lander (Finestripe Productions)
AUDIO
Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith, Presenter and Producer: Gilly Smith
The Food Programme, Presenter: Sheila Dillon, Producer: Natalie Donovan (BBC Radio 4)
Desert Island Dishes, Presenter: Margie Nomura, Producer: Georgie Rutherford
PHOTOGRAPHER
Hugh Johnson
Matt Russell
Patricia Niven
For further information about the awards please visit: https://www.fortnumandmason.co
Media enquiries fiona@fabcomm.co.uk 07831 193250
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