What does one of Jamie Oliver"s dinner ladies have in common with a Belgian photographer, a Swiss TV presenter, British TV chefs Delia Smith and Nigella Lawson, an Irish drink journalist, and an Australian dietitian. Answer: they are all nominees in the 2007 Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards 2007.
One hundred and thirty nine nominations in this prestigious competition are announced today, from more than 600 entries from around the globe.
New and established stars of the global food and drink media join a decade-long roll call of talent vying for Gold Ladles, trophies which are awarded every two years as part of Tasting Australia in Adelaide, South Australia.
Gold awards across 23 categories will be presented from the field of nominees during an awards ceremony to be held on Saturday, 20 October 2007 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Adelaide.
Throughout its 10-year history, these awards have attracted more than 4,000 entries in categories for food and drink photographers, restaurant critics, TV food and drink shows and segments, recipe books, health and nutrition publications, magazines, and websites. Many past winners have been household names in the world of food and drink publishing. As the only international awards to celebrate excellence across such a broad range of categories, Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards provide a unique forum for food and drink media to put their work up against their peers in a major international competition.
Nominations for the 2007 awards are led by entrants from the United Kingdom, USA and Australia with nominees from Canada, Singapore, Belgium, Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany and Malaysia also vying for the prestigious gold ladles.
The jury panel was made up of 80 respected food, wine, beer, media and publishing professionals from around the world, with strong credentials in their field of expertise, and include food and wine writers, television presenters/producers, educators, recipe book authors and magazine food editors.
Commenting on the entries, Jury Chairman, Ian Parmenter, said: “Once again our jury has been scrupulous in their judging and I thank them for their conscientious work. Le Cordon Bleu is also to be thanked for their whole-hearted support of this growing event”.
President and CEO of Le Cordon Bleu, Mr. Andre Cointreau states “Le Cordon Bleu is extremely excited and honoured to be part of this international event which recognises outstanding achievement across a broad sector of food and drink publishing. We have a strong reputation in the publishing industry, having produced a wide variety of books covering topics for professionals through to the home cook and in both food and wine appreciation. It is therefore fitting to acknowledge individual achievements through these prestigious awards”.
In addition to the 24 gold ladles, two individuals, well known to the food and drink industry, will be honoured for their outstanding achievements and influence with their induction into the Tasting Australia Hall of Fame, sponsored by Meat and Livestock Australia. Past honorees include Ferran Adria and Juan – Mari Arzak, Antonio Carluccio, Stephanie Alexander, Margaret Fulton, Anne Willan and Serge Dansereau and Cheong Liew.
The full list of nominees is now available at www.worldfoodmediaawards.com/nominees
Ian Parmenter, Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards Jury Chairman and Tasting Australia Festival Director, is available for media interviews.
Please direct enquiries to Karen Lewis by telephone: +61 8 9388 8877 or email: karen@tasting-australia.com.au.