George Shaw brings a wealth of experience and a fresh vision to Taste London. His mission is clear: to encourage Londoners, many of whom have become home-bound and sedentary since the lockdown, to re-engage with the vibrant life of the city. Shaw emphasizes the importance of this shift not only for individual mental well-being but also for the hospitality sector and the broader economy.
“My mission is to get Londoners, many of whom seem to have become home-bound and sedentary since lockdown, with large numbers working almost exclusively from home and seemingly reluctant to venture into the office,” Shaw stated. “It’s not good for our mental well-being, it’s not good for the hospitality sector, and it’s very bad for the wider economy.”
While Shaw acknowledges the efficiency of remote work and the exhaustion caused by daily commuting, he highlights the irreplaceable value of in-person interactions. “There isn’t the same collaborative spirit and creativity that come from chance encounters over the coffee machine, the opportunity for the fabled ‘elevator pitch’ to a main board director, or the spontaneous ‘quick one over the road,’ where many of our best ideas are spawned,” he explained.
Shaw also pointed out the drawbacks of remote work, such as endless Zoom meetings and a flood of WhatsApp messages, which can drain the lifeblood from an organization. He stressed the critical role of the hospitality sector in driving footfall and boosting local economies, especially as retail sales continue to migrate online.
NewYox Media CEO Fatih Oncu expressed his enthusiasm for Shaw’s appointment, stating, “It’s great for the magazine to have attracted someone with George’s experience, contacts, knowledge, and talent. He has so many ideas which will help drive the group’s wide publishing interests. Expect some exciting new launches.”
George Shaw’s impressive background includes founding the award-winning Avocado Media (formerly Joslin Shaw advertising and PR agency) and Media Contacts recruitment consultancy. A former BBC journalist and restaurant inspector for the Good Food Guide, Shaw has also edited Nine to Five, Thai Life, Capital Life, and Highend magazine, and published the Islington Restaurant Guide. He was the chairman of judges in the inaugural Kent Restaurant Awards.