The Guild of Food Writers Awards 2009
Jun 26th, 2009 by admin
A few months ago, I received an email from the Guild of Food Writers suggesting that I submit World Foodie Guide for the New Media award, one of their twelve awards. I have to admit that I knew very little about the GFW, being a food blogger rather than a professional food writer. The GFW is in fact the professional association of food writers and broadcasters in the United Kingdom, with over 370 members (authors, broadcasters, columnists and journalists). Furthermore, this is the 14th year that they have held their awards, the UK’s most prestigious in food book, writing and media, so it’s considered a real honour and accomplishment to win an award.
I worked my way through the submission process, frantically filling in the application form and sending five links from my 2008 posts to the various judges in my category, in order to meet the tight deadline. Then I heard nothing again until a few weeks ago, when various GFW members started to congratulate me on Twitter for having been shortlisted. I was forwarded this press release with all the shortlistees, which listed me for the New Media award, along with Elisabeth Winkler from Real Food Lover and Tim Hayward who writes for the Guardian/Observer Word of Mouth blog.
The day finally arrived and the vegetarian husband and I dressed up and headed off to the Guild of Food Writers Awards party at The Great Hall in Lincoln’s Inn, Holborn. This year, the GFW was also celebrating its 25th anniversary, so the event was doubly important. Drinks and delicious hot and cold canapés were served from 6.30pm, although I was too nervous to eat until after the announcements. It seemed like an eternity though before the awards were finally presented by legendary food critic Egon Ronay, still sharp at a venerable 94 years old.
So did I win the New Media award 2009? No, but Tim Hayward did! Elisabeth (her post has photos, whereas I was too jittery to even hold a glass of wine!) and I gave each other hugs and later I went to congratulate Tim, who turned out to be the vegetarian husband’s old schoolmate! It ended up being a really enjoyable evening and I also chatted to Fuchsia Dunlop, Stefan Gates, Susan Smillie from Word of Mouth (there’s a post about Tim’s win that mentions Elisabeth and I) and some of the judges in the New Media category, who were encouraging and full of praise for World Foodie Guide.
It was indeed an honour to have been the only non-professional shortlisted and to be amongst such distinguished company (Heston Blumenthal and Mark Hix were winners on the night). I look forward to trying again for the New Media award in 2010! I urge all British food bloggers to do the same, as this was only the second year that they have had the New Media category, and the perfect category for bloggers.
The full list of winners can be seen on the GFW website.
I was so pleased when I heard you’d been shortlisted as I’m so enjoying your blog.
To be up against a heavyweight like TH is an achievement beyond most bloggers’ dreams. Well done anyway.
What an achievement, even if you didn’t win! You should be mighty proud of yourself.
Congratulations Helen – a great compliment just to be considered
Congrats, Helen, and what a great move for the Guild to include bloggers in their midst.
Congratulations for being nominated! That’s some serious competition. It must’ve been a great evening – I’m a big fan of Fuschia Dunlop. I was asked to submit a nomination form but they gave me 24 hours in which to do it, and I procrastinated. Next year, hopefully.
It’s a testament to the high quality of the work you put into this blog that you can easily hold your own against the pros! Congratulations on being a finalist and without a doubt, you will be a force to be reckoned with next year.
(Now, if the voting were open to the public, I would shamelessly stuff the ballot box on your behalf!)
What an incredible accomplishment, congratulations! I think they need a special category for you, the only non-professional to be recognized – that says a lot.
I won’t say I’ll stuff the ballot box, no need you’ll win on shear talent alone!
What an incredible and special evening, and to mix and mingle with others who share your passion – WOW.
Hats off to you Helen!!
You thoroughly deserved the mention (and you know this) and I have always said that your blog has been an inspiration to me and is my favourite of all london food blogs around, and the recognition from the pro food writers just serves to solidify my adoration
in other words, you rock!! Keep up the great work here, it is always a pleasure reading your work and I will always remember your advice to me, when I first started blogging:
“Keep working at it, it will be worth it, one day.”
Congratulations ! You deserve the accolades for going the extra mile with your blog. Things like going up to Manchester for a cooking class, book reviews and traipsing across London for the best dim sum (twice).
Kavey – thank you very much! It’s great to meet a fellow foodie who’s passionate about food!
Fat Les – thank you! I didn’t appreciate quite how much of an honour it was to be shortlisted until I attended the awards party…
canelvr – thank you! I’m feeling quite proud actually, more now than before the awards party…
Gourmet Chick – thank you, you’re so right!
An American in London – yes, it’s only the second year they’ve had the New Media category. Ironically though, even if I had won, I wouldn’t have been eligible for GFW membership, as I’m not paid for my writing (eg I’m not a professional food writer). It’s a bit of an anomaly!
Lizzie – thank you, you must submit your blog next year!
Tangled Noodle – aww thank you! You’re so incredibly supportive of my blog!
OysterCulture – thank you! It really was a special evening and one that I’ll remember for a long time!
kang – thank you! Did I really say that to you? I think I need to say it back to myself!
Sung – thank you! You forgot to mention the serious weight gain!
Helen Yuet Ling
Hi Helen. Ah it was great to hang out with you and your husband at the Guild of Food Awards and it is true – to be short-listed is a fantastic achievement. Thanks also for posting a link to the Word of Mouth blog – it was super-cool to find myself mentioned there too. And what a coincidence about your husband and Tim Hayward knowing each other from secondary school days – small world or WHAT!?
Well done to both you and Tim. Your blog is a mine of ideas. Your blog post on The Underground Restaurant is one of my favourites. You are willing to go that extra mile of involvement to find out what goes on behind the scenes…
Congratulations once again. It must have been so exciting to get nominated and in such good company too! A well deserved nomination. I would have been very nervous too…
Elisabeth – I’m still reeling from the funny coincidences and events of that night (I bumped into someone else from my past!). It was lovely to have met you though, and your mother!
MsMarmitelover – thank you! My experience at the Underground Restaurant remains one of my favourites! I hope to return as a guest in the autumn…
Helen – thank you! It was a fantastic evening and after the announcements, managed to really enjoy myself!
Helen Yuet Ling