Mark Diacono is a food writer, grower, photographer and cook, who has published 13 books. In 2015, he won the André Simon Food Book of the Year 2014[1] for his book A Year at Otter Farm, and in 2011 he was awarded Food Book of the Year for A Taste of the Unexpected by the Guild of Food Writers.
He established a smallholding, Otter Farm, near Honiton in East Devon, England.[2][3] In 2016 Otter Farm was featured on Grand Designs when Mark and wife Candida contracted the build of the farmhouse and adjoining cookery school in steel frame and cob.[4]
He has a long association with River Cottage, having appeared in the TV series, run courses, written books and led the garden team there.[5]
Mark is an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool University, was awarded an Honorary Degree by University of Winchester, and has a MSc in Environmental Management and Planning (Distinction) from Oxford Brookes University.
Books
edit- Veg Patch: River Cottage Handbook No.4 (2009)
- A Taste of the Unexpected (2010)
- Fruit: River Cottage Handbook No. 9 (2011)
- The Speedy Vegetable Garden (2013)
- Chicken & Eggs: River Cottage Handbook No.11 (2013)
- A Year at Otter Farm (2014)
- The New Kitchen Garden (2015)
- Sour (2019)
- Ferment (2021)
- Herb (2021)
- Spice (2022)
- Vegetables (2024)
Photography only
- Herbs: River Cottage Handbook No. 10 (2012)
- My Cool Allotment: An Inspirational Guide to Stylish Allotments and Community Gardens (2013)
Awards
edit- James Beard Foundation Shortlist Single Subject, for SOUR, 2020
- André Simon Food Book of the Year 2014[6]
- Guild of Food Writers: Food Book of the Year (2011)[7]
- Garden Media Guild: Book Photographer of the Year (2009 and 2013)
- Garden Media Guild: Journalist of the Year (2011)
References
edit- ^ "Past Winners of the André Simon Food Book of the Year". André Simon. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ^ "The growing pains of Otter Farm". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ^ "Property Address: Otter Farm". East Devon District Council. East Devon District Council. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ Oneal, Paul (2017-01-05). "Timber-framed farmhouse with adjoining cookery school in Devon". Grand Designs Magazine. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
- ^ "Strange fruit: The secrets of the River Cottage garden". Independent. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ^ "Past Winners of the André Simon Food Book of the Year". André Simon. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ^ "Guild of Food Writers, Stop Press! Awards 2011 – Winners". Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2017.