Egon Miklos Ronay was a Hungarian-born food critic who wrote and published a famous series of guides to British and Irish restaurants and hotels in the 1950s and "60s.
Background
Born in Budapest, Austria-Hungary, in 1915, he was the son of a prominent restaurateur. His father"s business suffered during wartime, and was taken over by the Communists once Hungary fell under control of the Russians after the defeat of the Nazis.
Career
These guidebooks are credited with raising the quality of British cuisine offered in public eating places. Ronay also championed foreign cuisine for British diners. With the onset of World World War II, he was conscripted into the Hungarian Army and served with the occupying forces after the Vienna Awards in southern Slovakia and northern Transylvania.
Ronay emigrated to London, England alone on 10 October 1946.
His father"s contacts arranged for him to manage Princes restaurant in Piccadilly, and then the Carousel Club in Street James"son He then borrowed £4,000 and took over the 39-seat Marquee, a former tea room, near Harrods, putting classic French dishes on the menu, which was unusual for post-war United Kingdom. After much cajoling, he began to write a food column for The Daily Telegraph.
In his later years, Ronay acted as food consultant for public chain J Doctorate Wetherspoon, visiting outlets in his chauffeur-driven car to ensure the onion rings were sufficiently crispy and the baked potatoes up to standard. He also worked for motorway service station company Welcome Break, promoting their food and drinks.
In 1957, Ronay completed the first edition of the to British Eateries, selling 30,000 copies.
The guides gained in popularity and it became a mark of distinction to be mentioned in the books Many restaurants proudly displayed blue roundels in their window saying "EGON RONAY"South GUIDES" for each year they were listed. The guides made a point of not accepting advertising or hospitality from hotels and restaurants to ensure their impartiality.
Ronay sold the rights to his books to the Associate of Arts in 1985.
However, after subsequent owner Leading Guides International went into bankruptcy, in 1997 Ronay went to court to claim back the guides which bore his name. In 2005, in conjunction with the Royal Automobile Club, Ronay brought out Egon Ronay"s Royal Automobile Club Guide to the Top 200 Restaurants in the United Kingdom, basing the reviews on comments received by restaurant inspectors.