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Waterworth wins 2019 Alan Lodge writing award

Shay Waterworth has been named the Alan Lodge Young International Drinks Writer of the Year 2019 following a close competition praised for its high-calibre of entries.

Drinks International’s Shay Waterworth has been named the Alan Lodge Young International Drinks Writer of the Year 2019

The competition, now in its seventh year, received more entries than ever before.

Waterworth, who works as website editor at trade title Drinks International, walked away with the award after impressing the panel with his great sense of storytelling, colourful style and in-depth knowledge.

“It’s fantastic to win this award, not only for myself but the whole team at Drinks International,” he said.

“I think it’s great that this award exists because it’s encouraging the next generation of young writers and hopefully it will continue to leave a lasting legacy for the Lodge family.”

The award was launched in memory of Alan Lodge, the late deputy editor of The Spirits Business. It invites international spirits, wine, beer and cocktail writers under the age of 35 to submit three pieces of writing for assessment.

This year the competition was judged by Becky Paskin, editor of scotchwhisky.com; Emily Harris, director of May Fox Communications; and Neil Ridley, drinks writer and presenter.

Paskin said: “Shay has a natural affinity for storytelling. His confident yet humble tone and journalistic nose for thoroughly exploring a subject add an authoritative weight to his writing, while his ability to create intrigue and suspense elicits a hungry curiosity.

“This is a writer that the judges have seen grow year after year. A worthy winner, with a very promising career in drinks writing ahead of him.”

Harris added: “I am delighted to see Shay’s writing talent recognised in this year’s award. He has shown his feature writing to be consistently strong, engaging and brilliantly put together. His talent to engage his reader in a variety of subjects across the drinks industry has really shone – a much deserved winner.”

Ridley noted the high-quality of entries from young writers spanning a range of disciplines.

“I was personally delighted with the standard of writing in this year’s competition and it’s clear that there’s a very strong generation of passionate young drinks writers out there with a solid understanding of the industry and the needs of the audience.

“Congratulations to all the entrants and particularly Shay, whose work really stood out as being highly entertaining and insightful. He is certainly destined to have a great career in the drinks business.”

Waterworth was presented with his award at a ceremony during the London Wine Fair yesterday hosted by the drinks business, sister publication of The Spirits Business.

Entries for the 2020 Alan Lodge Young International Drinks Writer of the Year will open early next year.

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