André Simon Food & Drink Book Awards

Rachel Roddy won the coveted André Simon award for food writing for her debut book, FIVE QUARTERS: RECIPES AND NOTES FROM A KITCHEN IN ROME (Saltyard Books, 2015). 

FIVE QUARTERS received praise for its “vibrant evocation of the tastes and smells of Rome, refreshing simplicity and unstyled production”.

Comments from Pat Llewellyn, this year’s assessor for the food books, on FIVE QUARTERS:

“Interesting new voices are emerging in food publishing, with books that show flair, passion and refreshingly authentic approaches to the world of food. This year’s winner, FIVE QUARTERS by Rachel Roddy, was a beautifully designed and photographed book, and a genuinely hypnotic read that demonstrated a true love affair with Rome. Recipes that at first glance seemed well worn and familiar became fresh and interesting.”

Bee Wilson's FIRST BITE (Fourth Estate, 2015) received special commendation in acknowledgment of its “brilliant study of how we form our food preferences and how we may be able to change them”.