Now in its 27th year, the Gourmand Awards are the biggest cultural event in the world. There is no comparable international event, except the Olympics and participants submitted entries from more than 110 countries.
This year’s awards were announced in a ceremony held in Umeå, Sweden over the weekend. Having made it to the final three, Laura’s book was awarded the coveted first place gong by a team of esteemed judges and a copy of her book has been on display for delegates to browse at the World Cookbook Fair as part of the global event.
’50 Years of CAMRA’ tells the story of the Campaign for Real Ale in an accessible way that will appeal to all lovers of beer and popular culture. By tracing the influence of the Campaign through meticulous research and interviews with more than 100 CAMRA legends, brewers and even government officials, Laura has demonstrated the unique role that this volunteer-led organisation has had in shaping beer culture in modern Britain; from inventing the beer festival through to helping preserve some of the United Kingdom’s most important pub buildings.
“I’m so proud to win this award,” Laura said. “The problem with being a writer is that people expect you to have something clever to say at times like this – but I am speechless! To be told your first published book is the best in the world is really quite incredible.”
The book is currently on offer at CAMRA Books for just £10, although fewer than 450 copies now remain. More of Laura’s freelance writing, for publications like Reader’s Digest, BEER magazine and Pellicle, can be found through her online portfolio. As well as writing about beer, Laura is deeply engaged with the world of food, as a committee member for the Guild of Food Writers and specialist judge for the likes of the Great Taste Awards and the World Beer Awards. She also develops and hosts food, wine & beer tours and tasting sessions for corporate and private audiences.
