Vale, Valli Little

ABC Books author and former Food Director of delicious. magazine Valli Little died this week.

Valli was born into a family of restaurateurs in the UK. Destined to work in the food industry, she trained formally at the Cordon Bleu school in London.

The opportunity to open her own gourmet food store on Sydney’s north shore prompted Valli’s permanent move to Australia, where her shop Gastronomes gained a reputation as one of the very best in Sydney.

In 2001 she started working as a home economist and food writer for many successful books, including The Food of France and Bill Granger’s Sydney Food. For 14 years she was the Food Director of the highly successful delicious. magazine, where she would write up to 50 recipes a month inspired by her travels and her love of fresh produce.

Robert Patterson, Director ABC Commercial, says: ‘Valli has been a much loved member of the ABC family for many, many years. Throughout the ABC’s 13-year association with delicious. magazine and as publisher of her many stunning cookbooks, including last year’s My Kind of Food, we watched as Valli inspired home cooks and in return received their utmost loyalty. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Valli over the years, and I’m deeply saddened by the news of her passing. I know the inspiration she brought to Australian kitchens will live on.’

Valli has been a star of the ABC Books team ever since publication of their first book together, Let’s do Lunch, in 2003. Valli went on to write a further 9 bestselling cookbooks with ABC Books, including the hugely successful Quick Smart Cook and Simply the Best, and was one of Australia’s favourite food writers and cooks.

James Kellow, CEO of HarperCollins Australia, says: ‘Valli has been one of Australia’s most influential food superstars. Whether experimenting with new flavours, creating new trends or reinterpreting classic dishes with fresh twists, she has inspired a generation with her trusted and reliable recipes. She was a passionate advocate for the role of food in life, and her brilliance and enthusiasm will be greatly missed by all at ABC Books and HarperCollins.’

In 2014 she was diagnosed with cancer. Throughout her treatment, she continued to write her regular features for delicious. and began work on her 11th cookbook.

Brigitta Doyle, Publishing Director ABC Books, says: ‘I am going to miss Valli dreadfully. As an author she was passionate, creative, utterly dedicated and focussed − she understood absolutely what people wanted to eat and to cook, and she brought that to readers in a way that was inspirational and achievable. As a friend, Valli was generous, kind, caring and loyal, with a terrific mischievous streak. She approached every day with enthusiasm and a positive attitude, and we were so excited about planning her next book.’

She was a true and brilliant enthusiast and advocate for her craft, and was much admired and loved by all who worked with her.

The staff at ABC Books and HarperCollins offer their deepest sympathy, condolences and support to Valli’s family, in particular her husband, Phil, and their two sons, Toby and Henry.