As in previous years, the judging panel of the London Restaurant Awards will comprise some of the UK’s best known and most respected food critics.
Terry Durack (The Independent on Sunday)
Named ‘World’s Best Restaurant Critic’ at Le Cordon Bleu World Food Media Awards in 2007, Terry is one of the UK’s most acclaimed food critics. A regular contributor to the Independent on Sunday, Terry’s own accolades of ‘The Terrys’ provide an annual insight into the finest establishments in the UK.
Matthew Norman (The Guardian)
Matthew is a multi-faceted award winning restaurant reviewer, and when not identifying the top restaurants is likely to be providing comment on the country’s premier sporting events. Matthew is the British Press Awards 2008 ‘Columnist of the Year’.
Jay Rayner (The Observer)
One of most instantly recognisable critics in the country, Jay has been highlighting restaurant successes and failures for nearly 20 years. A multi-award winning journalist, Jay has received recognition for his work in newspapers, radio and is also an acclaimed author of fiction. He is also a regular on Masterchef.
Tracey Macleod (The Independent)
Now the regular restaurant critic and columnist for The Independent, Tracey has worked extensively in television and radio. She is a three time Glenfiddich Food and Drink Award nominee for best restaurant critic, most recently in 2007, and won the award in 2003.
Charles Campion (Evening Standard)
A former chef, Charles is now the Evening Standard’s food writer and provides insight into the very best ingredients and produce on the market. He is also an acclaimed restaurant writer, being a former Glenfiddich Restaurant Writer of the Year winner. Charles is also a regular judge at various competitions to identify the country’s finest food and drink.
Giles Coren (The Times)
Also a regular on television, Giles is a former British Press Awards’ ‘Food and Drink Writer of the Year’. Outside of the restaurant arena, Giles is a prominent author and satirist, having written ‘The Intellectual's Guide to Fashion’ under the pseudonym Professor Gideon Garter for Sunday Times. Giles currently appears on the BBC’s Supersizer Go… programme with writer and performer Sue Perkins.
Fay Maschler (Evening Standard)
The Evening Standard’s food critic since 1972, Fay is considered one of the country’s most influential restaurant reviewers. In her 36 year career she has made the reputation of countless restaurants, and is credited by many as a key figure in encouraging British chefs to compete with the best on the international stage.