Interesting news is that restaurant reviewer and writer JP Rossouw has been appointed as the publisher of the Diners Club Platter’s South African Wine Guide, taking over from Andrew McDowall, who is retiring.
Rossouw started his career in the advertising industry as a copywriter. He moved into restaurant reviewing, and has published the annual ‘Rossouw’s Restaurants’ guide for the past ten years, the Platter’s and Rossouw’s guides having many similarities in being judged on the basis of stars, and having a similar format. He wrote about wine for the Cape Times, about wine and food for House & Garden, about restaurants for Mail & Guardian, and currently writes about restaurants for Business Day.
Rossouw has been a judge for the Diners Club Winelist of the Year Awards for the past five years. He has contributed to the Platter’s Wine Guide and has written ‘Mixed Case’, a book about South African wine, which was subsequently re-published as ‘Tasting the Cape’.
Rossouw said about his appointment: ‘When I started the restaurant guide a decade ago, Platter’s was my icon. To now be able to take this position is therefore an honour, as well as being incredibly exciting. It is also wonderful to return to the world of wine and indeed to marry it to its natural companion – food’.
The Platter’s South African Wine Guide was started by John and Erica Platter, and its content and impact developed over close to 30 years by publisher McDowall, editor Philip van Zyl, and a team of dedicated tasters. ‘Moving forward, the opportunities are vast – the team and I have many ideas to develop the Platter’s name. But at the same time, I am very aware of Platter’s fantastic heritage and certainly aim to be its custodian’, added Rossouw. ‘Rossouw’s Restaurants‘ has also joined the Diners Club stable, it was announced.
Rossouw will be seen in his new role at the launch of the 2014 Platter’s Guide, traditionally held in November. While he may be technically proficient to take on his new job, he must be one of the most introverted and low profile wine and restaurant writers in the country, not attending industry functions, and not networking with industry players. His new position will require a PR and marketing role, and one wonders how he will cope with this! To counter paltry Pendock’s conflict of interest criticism, Rossouw will have to resign from The Wolftrap (a Boekenhoutskloof brand) steak competition. His link to Beaumont will be harder to deal with! One thing is for sure: persistent Pendock has a new whipping victim!
Platter’s South African Wine Guide: Tel (021) 851-6812. www.wineonaplatter.com Twitter: @WineonaPlatter
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
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I am delighted to hear this news, wishing JP the best, he is well positioned and will ensure the success of this excellent publication.
Thank you for your comment Vicki.
My guess is that Pendock loses a lot more sleep over his subjects than they lose over him, as witnessed by how seldom his tyrades in his gossip colomn invite response.
I like this observation DM. Interesting is that persistent Pendock cannot take the flack that he licks to dish out to others!