André Simon award shortlist announced

The shortlist for this year’s André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards has been announced with Victoria Moore, Peter Liem and Dave Broom among those nominated for their drinks books.

Among the books shortlisted in the drinks category this year are tomes on Champagne, Japanese whisky and beer.

Those shortlisted are: Robert Walters for his book on Champagne ‘Bursting Bubbles’ and Peter Liem’s own book on Champagne; Pete Brown (nominated last year as well for The Apple Orchard) for Miracle Brew which explores the components behind beer; Dave Broom for The Way of the Whisky which explores Japan’s whisky industry and culture; Thad Vogler’s By the Smoke and the Smell which explores small batch distilleries around the world and Victoria Moore’s Wine Dine Dictionary, a handbook designed to help match wine with food or vice versa.

Assessing the drinks entries this year was Joe Fattorini who commented: “The shortlisted books reflect the eclectic, cosmopolitan way people drink today with explorations of wine, beer, whiskies, cocktails and Champagne.

“The quality of the writing was so high that many of these books won’t just appeal to drinks fans; they will captivate anyone who wants a fascinating read. The best books told intensely personal stories that brought together a deep knowledge of the drinks with the emotions of the author and the people they meet.”

In the food entries are books on Portuguese, Japanese and Palestinian culinary traditions and dishes, the case against sugar, the tale of a run-down pub turned Michelin-starred establishment and the connection between landscapes and ingredients.

Food assessor, Rachel Cooke, said: “I was amazed by the sheer quantity of very good food books that were published this year, so many well written and beautifully produced titles.

“It is slightly dispiriting that publishers appear still to be in thrall to such trends as clean eating, but completely thrilling that they are willing to back those who want to write learnedly and inspiringly about, say, the food of Georgia or Palestine, about the culture of rice in Japan, about the grave threat sugar presents to our health. Thanks to this, judging was a pleasure.”

Shortlisted Food Books 2017

Gather Cook Feast (Jessica Seaton and Anna Colqhoun); Lisboeta (Nuno Mendes);
The Case Against Sugar (Gary Taubes); The Meaning of Rice (Michael Booth); The Palestinian Table (Reem Kassis); The Sportsman (Stephen Harris)

Shortlisted Drink Books 2017

Bursting Bubbles (Robert Walters);
By the Smoke and the Smell (Thad Vogler); Champagne (Peter Liem);
Miracle Brew (Pete Brown);
The Way of Whisky (Dave Broom);
The Wine Dine Dictionary (Victoria Moore)