Waitrose Food Illustrated 2007

Recipe for Success: Waitrose Food Illustrated Cookery Writer Competition

In an unusual move, Waitrose Food Illustrated has launched a competition to find the next great cookery writer.

The prize is a £20,000 publishing contract with the publishers Fourth Estate. It is open to any previously unpublished cookery writer.

Each entry should comprise an original and new piece of writing of no more than 1,500 words, focusing upon how the entrant learned to cook and what food means to him or her.  Each entry should include at least one recipe interwoven into the narrative; all recipes to be new and original.

Closing date 1 March 2007.

In the January issue of Waitrose Food Illustrated Nigel Slater sets the tone for the competition:

'Of course there is a vast difference between being a published writer and being a good one. And even then, one person's 'best cookery writer in the world' is probably another's over-rated egotist...  It is my belief that there is another Elizabeth David out there somewhere... until now I have never been able to advise budding writers how they can get a story into print or a book on the shelves,  now I can.  By entering our competition you stand a chance of achieving both,  We are looking for the next name to joint the roll call of much-loved British cookery writers.  all you have to do is tell us, in 1,500 words, what cooking means to you...

'So what will you bring to the non-stop buffet that is British cookery writing?  What will make your cookery book the 'must-have of the year?  Why should you be the one to win a £20,000 publishing contract?  My guess is that you already know.  All you need to do now is convince us.'

Entries should be sent to:

WFI Food Writer Competition, Unit 328,56 Gloucester Road, London SW7 4UB

To get full details of the competition and conditions of entry, pick up a copy of Waitrose Food Illustrated from a newsagent, or from your nearest Waitrose or order it by phone from 017595 414930.