Obituary – Michael Bateman

Eminent food writer Michael Bateman has died at the age of 74.

Starting out his career at a local paper in Durham in the 1950s Bateman went on to write for The Sunday Times and edit the Lifestyle magazine.

He was also the food writer of The Independent on Sunday since its creation in 1990.

Hailed as one of the original champions of food journalism Bateman won many awards and commendations, notably the Glenfiddich Food Writer of the year 2000.

Bateman’s passion for food extended further than journalism. He launched a national campaign for Real Bread which in 1982 produced a book, The Sunday Times Book of Real Bread.

Cooking People, his first cookery book was published in 1966, and he continued to write prolifically on the subject of food up until the publication of The World of Spice in September 2003.

Shortly after its publication Bateman was hit by a car near his Norfolk home and never fully recovered.

He is survived by a wife Heather and six children.

By Ximena Holliday

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