Good Food Guide ceases publication

First produced in 1951 by Raymond Postgate, the Good Food Guide is considered to be one of the most influential eating-out guides in the UK.

Published annually, the guide was completely rewritten and compiled from scratch each year using a combination of reader reviews and anonymous expert inspections.

The Good Food Guide has been published by Waitrose since 2013.

It was previously published by Which? books.

In a statement, Waitrose said: Regrettably we have taken the decision not to publish the Waitrose Good Food Guide during 2021.

"We are very appreciative of the efforts of all our Partners, inspectors and those who have contributed to the guide during the seven years since we acquired it.

"We retain the brand but currently have no plans to publish future guides.

"We will continue to champion the industry through our publications, including Waitrose Food and Waitrose Weekend."

Waitrose's announcement led to an outpouring of sadness from within the restaurant community.

Observer food critic Jay Rayner said: "This is very sad news.

"Raymond Postgate’s creation was the first twitching of post war appetite in this country. My parents got each new edition and treated it like a bible for the hungry.

"Waitrose were meant to be the custodians. Didn’t do a brilliant job, did they."