Morris and Rettali win at André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards

Returning winner Jasper Morris and patisserie owner Dee Rettali have both claimed prizes at the 2021 André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards.

Founded in 1978, the awards are unique as they exclusively recognise the achievements of food and drink writers and are the longest continuous running prizes of their kind. The judging panel was guided by assessors including former John Avery winner Yemisi Aribisala for the food category and Master of Wine Rose Murray Brown for drink books.

Morris won the Drink Award for Inside Burgundy Second Edition (Berry Bros & Rudd Press), the first edition of which won him the 2010 award in the same category.

“For Burgundy lovers there is nothing comparable anywhere in the world of publishing," Brown said. "This seminal work is a highly impressive, extremely well-produced reference book and the most authoritative guide to this fragmented region."

Rettali won the Food Award with Baking with Fortitude: Sourdough Cakes and Bakes (Bloomsbury). "Dee Rettali is artist, artisan, iconoclast and author of a remarkable book that people will undoubtedly celebrate and love for many years to come," said Aribisala. "From Ireland to Morocco to London and the depths of fermented flavours and unique pairings of essence and spice, Baking with Fortitude is comprehensively gorgeous.”

The John Avery Award went to Amanda Barnes for her book The South America Wine Guide (The South America Wine Guide). “The South American Wine Guide is a strikingly colourful tome with a refreshing visual format heralding a new era in ‘wine travel’ books," Brown said. "It is a very impressive first book from a young writer, with beautifully descriptive prose and breath-taking images highlighting the raw beauty of this dramatic continent."

A special commendation was awarded Dan Saladino for his book Eating to Extinction (Jonathan Cape), in which he highlights the importance of food activism for the sake of the planet.