One hundred and thirty years since it first appeared in quality newsagents across the land, Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine has finally crossed the desk of ever-lovely film director and food critic, Michael Winner.
Writing of a recent trip to the Vineyard in Stockcross in his latest Winner's Dinners column, the creator of the popular Death Wish movie trilogy described the hotel as "highly regarded. At least by a dodgy magazine, Caterer and Hotelkeeper, admired by some in the misnamed 'hospitality industry'. It gave the Vineyard's cook, John Campbell, the Chef of the Year award and Andrew the 2008 Hotelier of the Year award. That's somewhere below the Jewish Blind School white bar third class".
We've had some notable successes on our century-long metamorphosis from the Caterer and Refreshment Contractors Gazette to our current multimedia incarnation. We've interviewed the greats of world cuisine; lobbied government on a range of meaty issues; developed awards initiatives that have come to recognised as the Oscars of hospitality; and helped millions of individuals to better manage their businesses and their careers. But none of these baubles can compare with the honour of registering on the radar of the cultural colossus that is Michael Winner.
Have you, like John Campbell and Andrew McKenzie at the Vineyard, faced the terror of a visit from La Winner? If so, tell us your experiences and pass on any tips you have for keeping him sweet and his review sweeter.