Making matters complicated

We’ve all known for a long time that September is a busy time in the events calendar – the big new books, films, TV shows and that’s before fashion weeks, political party conferences and who knows what else… 

But this autumn there’s another whole strand of launches that make matters more complicated – London is unveiling some seriously swanky new hotels. I’ve been waiting patiently for the Peninsula to open at Hyde Park Corner (not least because the construction work diverts my commute!) but then the Old War Office (now called The OWO) is also gathering buzz, while 1 Hotel Mayfair and the Four Seasons are in the news too.

All of these I mention because they involve major food elements. That can make coverage fiddly as travel editors and food editors try to carve up (!) who does what, and more pertinently, what’s off limits.

Last year I got very cross when, in what was billed as a hotel review, the writer spent 75 per cent of its word count on the restaurant. Meanwhile my critic had to cross it off his list of places earmarked to cover. 

Big name chefs worthy of standalone features are nothing new – but this season’s crop is strong. The Peninsula has Claude Bosi, while The OWO has Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London (all part of the hotel name, see my press release of the day for more). Meanwhile Dovetale at 1 Hotel Mayfair’s signing is Tom Sellers and the Four Seasons has glitzy Pavyllon by Yannick Aleno. So I’m hoping – from an editorial standpoint – that the travel PRs who don’t usually do that much business with me and other food editors can consider our needs as well as the big traditional hotel reviews. 

And, as always, communicate. You’d be amazed by the silo effect sometimes between departments on titles – we might not discuss it ourselves so please (without wishing to make you the bearer of bad tidings), tell us if you’re working on a feature with one of our colleagues!