FOLLOW US ON: 
Winners 2024
The trustees of the André Simon Food and Drink Awards are delighted to announce the winners of the 46th year of the prestigious awards at a ceremony held at The Don in Central London on Monday 17 March 2025. Winners were congratulated with a toast courtesy of Liberty Wines. From an inspiring longlist and shortlist, the winning books were narrowed down to just four exceptional reads. This year's winners are true passion projects, each culminating in a landmark achievement. Selected out of a total of 160 entries, the winning books are;Food Book Award
- SIFT: The Elements of Great Baking
by Nicola Lamb, Ebury
Researched, tried, and tested to perfection, SIFT is the ultimate guide to becoming a better baker. Nicola Lamb is a master of her craft, having trained in London and New York's top bakeries. In her book she delves into the properties of flour, sugar, eggs and fat, exploring how these ingredients interact to transform the colour, texture and taste into something magical.
Drink Book Award
- The Australian Ark
by Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal and Longueville Media
Written over 17 years, this three-volume collection is the most extensive history of Australian wine ever written and chronicles the key figures, events, and ambitions shaping Australian wine from 1788 to today. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, his landmark work captures the triumphs and challenges of an industry integral to Australia's heritage and a truly unique and fascinating wine culture.
John Avery Award
- JA Cheesemonger's Tour de France
by Ned Palmer, Profile Books
In his latest book, the former André Simon nominee wends his way around the country's regions, meeting remarkable cheesemongers and showing how a French cheese board offers genuine insights into La Belle République. Every French cheese carries a trace of the place where it was made: its history, identity and landscape.
Special Commendation Award
- Perry: A Drinker's Guide
by Adam Wells, CAMRA Books
The world's first guide to the ancient drink Perry (pear cider) which according to Adam Wells, Perry is 'the most misunderstood, overlooked, underrated drink in the world.' From ancient orchards to modern producers, this groundbreaking book reveals the brilliance of Perry and its place in the global drinks landscape. Adam charts Perry's remarkable history and walks through the orchards and the trees that make this drink, some of them over three-hundred years old.
Our 2024 Assessors
Food Assessor Lennie Ware
Thank you very much Lennie Ware for being the assessor for the food books.
"SIFT is a wonderful, innovative and original baking book. Truly accomplished, it is so interesting in terms of the science of baking but also has fantastic recipes that are easy to follow. I am not a baker myself as such, but this book makes me want to be. I absolutely adore A Cheesemonger's Tour de France. Ned's personal touches are present throughout this travelogue and his vast wealth of knowledge really shines through. I love cheese and the book made me want to head off on a tour de France myself."
Drink Assessor Dawn Davies
We are very grateful to Dawn Davies who was in charge of assessing the drink books for 2024
"The Australian Ark is nothing short of a masterpiece. Australian wine has been a huge part of my wine journey and it is fantastic to see its history and people captured in this book in such fantastic detail. A book that you will go back to time and time again. Perry: A Drinker's Guide by Adam Wells has sparked a new passion for a drink that was only vaguely on my radar. From production to the producers this book has been written with humour and love and even if Perry wasn't on your must try list by the time you get to the end of the book it will be."
Food Assessor Lennie Ware
Thank you very much Lennie Ware for being the assessor for the food books.
"SIFT is a wonderful, innovative and original baking book. Truly accomplished, it is so interesting in terms of the science of baking but also has fantastic recipes that are easy to follow. I am not a baker myself as such, but this book makes me want to be. I absolutely adore A Cheesemonger's Tour de France. Ned's personal touches are present throughout this travelogue and his vast wealth of knowledge really shines through. I love cheese and the book made me want to head off on a tour de France myself."
Drink Assessor Dawn Davies
We are very grateful to Dawn Davies who was in charge of assessing the drink books for 2024
"The Australian Ark is nothing short of a masterpiece. Australian wine has been a huge part of my wine journey and it is fantastic to see its history and people captured in this book in such fantastic detail. A book that you will go back to time and time again. Perry: A Drinker's Guide by Adam Wells has sparked a new passion for a drink that was only vaguely on my radar. From production to the producers this book has been written with humour and love and even if Perry wasn't on your must try list by the time you get to the end of the book it will be."