Thursday, 29 December 2022
You all know the drill by now. Break out your finest evening wear and your dancing shoes, because tonight we are all going to the big show with VIP tickets. It's the Debbie Awards, the traditional end of year showstopper that celebrates the good, the bad, and the downright dazzling of the year gone by.
2022 was a year of highs and lows. Family health scares, war, national mourning, but on the other hand weddings, babies (not mine), family health recoveries, and more memories forged together as the world continued to reopen and return to normal. 2022 was a year of great scientific and technological accomplishment, a year of renewed creative output, and a return of spectacle as live events moved from online streams back into the real world. So get comfy, break out the bubbles, let's settle in for the night and get into this.
Without further ado, let the curtain fall upon 2022 as we begin our definitive review of the past 12 months:
2022 Debbie Awards
Cinema & TV
1. The Debbie for TV Show of the Year
Winner: The Orville (Hulu/Disney+)
Runner Up: Stranger Things (Netflix)
The return of The Orville has been a long time in the making. Originally slated for release in 2020, the show's third season has been beset by delays as a result of the pandemic and a switch in production from Fox to Hulu/Disney. But after three rough years, it's back and it's fair to say that the wait has been worth it. Backed by the considerable financial heft of Disney and free from the commercial considerations that come with cable TV, this new season is the most narratively ambitious and creatively daring to date. Everything about The Orville season 3 is bigger and better than ever and the result is some of the most thought provoking and entertaining sci-fi we've seen in years.
2022 also marked a strong return for old Ephemeric favourite Stranger Things. Don't be fooled by the fact that this is the first entry in the series not to win a Debbie, this is the strongest season of the Duffer Brothers' joyous horror nostalgia-fest since the first one. A thrilling 9 episode arc that raises the stakes, meaningfully expands the world of Hawkins, and perfectly sets up the series for its final curtain next year.
2. The Debbie for New TV Show of the Year
Winner: Severance (AppleTV+)
Runner Up: This is Going to Hurt (BBC)
Increasingly, this is becoming one of the most competitive categories of Debbie, with the streaming era's considerable expansion in both the quality and quantity of TV showing no signs of abatement. This year saw Apple continue their remarkable run of quality with Severance, a dark comedy/psychological thriller from Ben Stiller, of all people. Severance is a brilliantly audacious satire of corporate greed that in equal parts allures with its mystery and entertains with its charming absurdity.
This was a very difficult runner up to pick, with many worthy series excluded, but ultimately I'm going with This is Going to Hurt. This is the BBC's adaptation of the disturbing, yet hilarious memoir by former doctor Adam Kay (who you may also recognise as one half of the music-comedy duo Amateur Transplants, creator of the London Underground song). The TV series is fittingly uncompromising. Perhaps one of television's best ever depictions of life as a doctor.
3. The Debbie for Film of the Year
Winner: The Banshees of Inisherin
Runner Up: Living
Martin McDonagh is a writer/director with a very specific brand attached to his name. Acclaimed though his work may be, one can generally expect pitch black comedy combined with pronounced, sometimes cartoonish, violence. His latest, The Banshees of Inisherin, is a tale of two feuding friends on a quiet, fictional Irish isle, loosely allegorical of the Irish civil war. This film marks something of a departure from the McDonagh trope, being that it is neither particularly violent nor as riotously funny as some of his other work. It might also be his best film to date. Blessed with sharp writing that blends just enough humour with tragedy, stunning performances throughout (both leads could easily lay a claim to Oscars this year), and probably the most spectacular visual work of any McDonagh film to date. It may be a bit of a slow burn, but it is a film most worthy of your time.
10. The Debbie for Song of the Year
Winner: Zenith - Kavinsky
Runners Up: New Romance - Beach House, Wo Bisch du Hut z Nacht - Patent Ochsner
After years of radio silence, it feels strange to say that we have a new album from French DJ Kavinsky, yet here we are. His follow up album may not be the cultural touchstone of its predecessor, but it is still very impressive work. The pinnacle of the record has got to be second single Zenith, a veritable masterpiece of atmospheric composition with its vintage, cinematic instrumentals and melancholic vocals. Kavinsky is just great. He takes Blade Runner, Terminator, and everything dark and stormy about the 1980s and distils it into its pure musical essence. If ever a song could be described as sounding like a late night glass of fine scotch, it's this.
For our first runner up, we have the standout track from our album of the year winner, Beach House. New Romance is an immaculately formed slice of indie pop. A nostalgic backdrop of synth strings against driving piano keys bring to life a wistful, angsty ode to the confusion of young romance. It is a standout from what is already a top collection of songs.
Without further ado, let the curtain fall upon 2022 as we begin our definitive review of the past 12 months:
2022 Debbie Awards
Cinema & TV
1. The Debbie for TV Show of the Year
Winner: The Orville (Hulu/Disney+)
Runner Up: Stranger Things (Netflix)
The return of The Orville has been a long time in the making. Originally slated for release in 2020, the show's third season has been beset by delays as a result of the pandemic and a switch in production from Fox to Hulu/Disney. But after three rough years, it's back and it's fair to say that the wait has been worth it. Backed by the considerable financial heft of Disney and free from the commercial considerations that come with cable TV, this new season is the most narratively ambitious and creatively daring to date. Everything about The Orville season 3 is bigger and better than ever and the result is some of the most thought provoking and entertaining sci-fi we've seen in years.
2022 also marked a strong return for old Ephemeric favourite Stranger Things. Don't be fooled by the fact that this is the first entry in the series not to win a Debbie, this is the strongest season of the Duffer Brothers' joyous horror nostalgia-fest since the first one. A thrilling 9 episode arc that raises the stakes, meaningfully expands the world of Hawkins, and perfectly sets up the series for its final curtain next year.
2. The Debbie for New TV Show of the Year
Winner: Severance (AppleTV+)
Runner Up: This is Going to Hurt (BBC)
Increasingly, this is becoming one of the most competitive categories of Debbie, with the streaming era's considerable expansion in both the quality and quantity of TV showing no signs of abatement. This year saw Apple continue their remarkable run of quality with Severance, a dark comedy/psychological thriller from Ben Stiller, of all people. Severance is a brilliantly audacious satire of corporate greed that in equal parts allures with its mystery and entertains with its charming absurdity.
This was a very difficult runner up to pick, with many worthy series excluded, but ultimately I'm going with This is Going to Hurt. This is the BBC's adaptation of the disturbing, yet hilarious memoir by former doctor Adam Kay (who you may also recognise as one half of the music-comedy duo Amateur Transplants, creator of the London Underground song). The TV series is fittingly uncompromising. Perhaps one of television's best ever depictions of life as a doctor.
3. The Debbie for Film of the Year
Winner: The Banshees of Inisherin
Runner Up: Living
Martin McDonagh is a writer/director with a very specific brand attached to his name. Acclaimed though his work may be, one can generally expect pitch black comedy combined with pronounced, sometimes cartoonish, violence. His latest, The Banshees of Inisherin, is a tale of two feuding friends on a quiet, fictional Irish isle, loosely allegorical of the Irish civil war. This film marks something of a departure from the McDonagh trope, being that it is neither particularly violent nor as riotously funny as some of his other work. It might also be his best film to date. Blessed with sharp writing that blends just enough humour with tragedy, stunning performances throughout (both leads could easily lay a claim to Oscars this year), and probably the most spectacular visual work of any McDonagh film to date. It may be a bit of a slow burn, but it is a film most worthy of your time.
Coming in second this year is a film that I suspect will fly under the radar of many this year, Living. The newest film from Oliver Hermanus, penned by award winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, adapted from a Kurosawa film which was itself adapted from a Tolstoy novella. So there's a lot of pedigree here. It's difficult to describe what makes this film as special as it is. The story of a man coming to terms with terminal illness is, on the surface, intolerably sad, but the way the story is told is charming and strangely humorous to the point that it never feels like a drag, the entire production anchored by an all time great Bill Nighy performance.
4. The Debbie for Variety Show Host of the Year
Winner: David Letterman, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction
The elder statesman of talk show hosts returns. David Letterman has been doing his select series of Netflix interviews on and off for a few years now, but with its fourth season My Next Guest Needs No Introduction has delivered some of its best material yet. A special interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in particular, caps off an impressive series of in depth and uncompromising discussions.
5. The Debbie for Rising Star of the Year
Winner: Paul Mescal
Not the flashiest actor in the film industry, but one who has been quietly working, putting together an increasingly impressive filmography, in addition to a strong career on the stage. These last few years, in particular, have seen a remarkable rise to prominence for Paul Mescal. Many will recognise Mescal from the recent TV adaptation of Normal People, for which Mescal received both BAFTA and Emmy nominations last year. 2022 will have seen his name reach an even wider audience, starring in one of the year's best films Aftersun, as well as the sleeper indie hit God's Creatures. One imagines his agent will be very busy reviewing offers in 2023.
6. The Debbie for Web-Show of the Year
Winner: Tifo Football
Tifo Football is not a new series. The video-content arm of The Athletic (itself arguably the sport's best publication) has put out a steady stream of entertaining football-related videos, typically to explain the finer points of football tactics, history, as well as analysis of specific teams, players and strategies. In 2022, the channel took a notable step further into the more in depth analytical format, culminating in a fantastic series explaining the history of the Qatar World Cup in the run up to this year's tournament. This is top tier content and that series in particular is essential viewing for anyone seeking a greater understanding of why Qatar 2022 was such a big deal.
Music, Art & Theatre
7. The Debbie for Theatrical Production of the Year
Winner: The 47th (the Old Vic)
4. The Debbie for Variety Show Host of the Year
Winner: David Letterman, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction
The elder statesman of talk show hosts returns. David Letterman has been doing his select series of Netflix interviews on and off for a few years now, but with its fourth season My Next Guest Needs No Introduction has delivered some of its best material yet. A special interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in particular, caps off an impressive series of in depth and uncompromising discussions.
5. The Debbie for Rising Star of the Year
Winner: Paul Mescal
Not the flashiest actor in the film industry, but one who has been quietly working, putting together an increasingly impressive filmography, in addition to a strong career on the stage. These last few years, in particular, have seen a remarkable rise to prominence for Paul Mescal. Many will recognise Mescal from the recent TV adaptation of Normal People, for which Mescal received both BAFTA and Emmy nominations last year. 2022 will have seen his name reach an even wider audience, starring in one of the year's best films Aftersun, as well as the sleeper indie hit God's Creatures. One imagines his agent will be very busy reviewing offers in 2023.
6. The Debbie for Web-Show of the Year
Winner: Tifo Football
Tifo Football is not a new series. The video-content arm of The Athletic (itself arguably the sport's best publication) has put out a steady stream of entertaining football-related videos, typically to explain the finer points of football tactics, history, as well as analysis of specific teams, players and strategies. In 2022, the channel took a notable step further into the more in depth analytical format, culminating in a fantastic series explaining the history of the Qatar World Cup in the run up to this year's tournament. This is top tier content and that series in particular is essential viewing for anyone seeking a greater understanding of why Qatar 2022 was such a big deal.
Music, Art & Theatre
7. The Debbie for Theatrical Production of the Year
Winner: The 47th (the Old Vic)
Runner Up: Jerusalem (Apollo Theatre)
It's been a strong year for the stage as theatres resume regular operations and the various cancelled productions of 2020/21 make their long-awaited release. Mike Bartlett is a playwright best known for 2017's King Charles III, a (remarkably prescient) imagining of the day when then Prince Charles would ascend to the throne, and the Shakespearean power struggle that would ensue, written appropriately in blank verse and old English. With his new play, The 47th, Bartlett has pulled the same trick, but this time in imagining a hypothetical second Trump run for the White House. This too is written in the classical style, but whereas King Charles III used this in a fairly straight-faced telling of a Shakespearean-style drama, The 47th uses this to great comedic effect. The result is a satire for the ages, anchored by one of the best yet depictions of Trump himself by Bertie Carvel.
It's been a strong year for the stage as theatres resume regular operations and the various cancelled productions of 2020/21 make their long-awaited release. Mike Bartlett is a playwright best known for 2017's King Charles III, a (remarkably prescient) imagining of the day when then Prince Charles would ascend to the throne, and the Shakespearean power struggle that would ensue, written appropriately in blank verse and old English. With his new play, The 47th, Bartlett has pulled the same trick, but this time in imagining a hypothetical second Trump run for the White House. This too is written in the classical style, but whereas King Charles III used this in a fairly straight-faced telling of a Shakespearean-style drama, The 47th uses this to great comedic effect. The result is a satire for the ages, anchored by one of the best yet depictions of Trump himself by Bertie Carvel.
In second place we have an old production, but one that has made a comeback in 2022. Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem originally graced the stage back in 2009 and received widespread acclaim, in particular, for the performance of Mark Rylance. 2022 saw a revival of the production, with Rylance returning to the role after more than a decade. Fortunately the touch hasn't been lost in the interim and this is unmissable theatre. A second chance for those who did not catch it the first time.
8. The Debbie for Album of the Year
Winner: Once Twice Melody - Beach House
Runners Up: Blue Rev - Alvvays, The Car - Arctic Monkeys
Baltimore dream-pop duo Beach House win 2022 in music with their grandest work to date, Once Twice Melody. Known for their easy listening style and lush, intimate soundscapes, their latest is bold, epic and "big" from the very first track. The music retains their trademark dreamy, ambient style but with an added drive that allows the music to sink its teeth into the listener in a way that their earlier work rarely did. The duo of title track Once Twice Melody and Superstar is an opening salvo that any band would envy, and it follows quickly with Runaway, Over and Over, and possibly the most impressive track on the album, New Romance. It's a work of greater ambition that we've seen to date and one that establishes them firmly among the upper echelons of musicians working today.
8. The Debbie for Album of the Year
Winner: Once Twice Melody - Beach House
Runners Up: Blue Rev - Alvvays, The Car - Arctic Monkeys
Baltimore dream-pop duo Beach House win 2022 in music with their grandest work to date, Once Twice Melody. Known for their easy listening style and lush, intimate soundscapes, their latest is bold, epic and "big" from the very first track. The music retains their trademark dreamy, ambient style but with an added drive that allows the music to sink its teeth into the listener in a way that their earlier work rarely did. The duo of title track Once Twice Melody and Superstar is an opening salvo that any band would envy, and it follows quickly with Runaway, Over and Over, and possibly the most impressive track on the album, New Romance. It's a work of greater ambition that we've seen to date and one that establishes them firmly among the upper echelons of musicians working today.
Another band hitting new heights in 2022 is Canadian indie pop group Alvvays (not to be confused with the similarly v'd Chvrches). This melody-focused group plays like a mix of classic Canadian indie pop with a touch of British rock. Their latest release, Blue Rev, is being viewed as something of a benchmark in the scene. An uplifting record of fun and energising tracks that each stand out as memorable in their own right, from the gauzy bedroom pop Pharmacist, to the jangly, Murakami-inspired After the Earthquake, and the delightfully animated (by ConcernedApe, creator of Stardew Valley, no less) Many Mirrors. This album is just hit after hit, a great record.
For our second runner up, we have the latest from Sheffield rockers Arctic Monkeys, The Car. This album continues Arctic Monkeys' recent evolution into more retro-tinged lounge rock, heavily influenced by the likes of Burt Bacharach, Steely Dan, and, in particular, David Bowie. Alex Turner's songwriting is as sharp as ever. Perhaps not quite as lyrically focused as their last album, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, but with a more consistent musical flow and some memorable tracks, including the wonderfully cinematic There'd Better Be a Mirrorball, the funk-laden Thin White Duke-era Bowie-tinged I Ain't Quite Where I think I Am, and the almost mystical mid-album crooner Body Paint.
9. The Debbie for Debut Album of the Year
Winner: Angels & Queens Part I - Gabriels
Runner Up: Quiet the Room - Skullcrusher
2022 has also been a very strong year for new musical artists. For the first time in a long while I really struggled to decide on an eventual winner between a handful of very impressive debuts. Ultimately, I had to go with Angels & Queens Part I, the debut LP from California trio Gabriels. Soul revivalists with an edge, a frontman with a dazzling voice, and consistently strong songwriting that is as comfortable dabbling in the realms of funk and jazz. It's impressive how fresh this sounds, despite its deep ties to nostalgia and history, with key tracks like Angels & Queens and If You Only Knew.
For the runner up position, we have the very inaptly named Skullcrusher and her debut album Quiet the Room. Despite how the name sounds, Skullcrusher is, in fact, a musician with a talent for crafting delicate, multi-instrumental folk songs. For the past two years she has impressed with a series of EP releases and her debut does not disappoint. The standout track here is Whatever Fits Together, a gorgeous and otherworldly slice of melancholy.
For our second runner up, we have the latest from Sheffield rockers Arctic Monkeys, The Car. This album continues Arctic Monkeys' recent evolution into more retro-tinged lounge rock, heavily influenced by the likes of Burt Bacharach, Steely Dan, and, in particular, David Bowie. Alex Turner's songwriting is as sharp as ever. Perhaps not quite as lyrically focused as their last album, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, but with a more consistent musical flow and some memorable tracks, including the wonderfully cinematic There'd Better Be a Mirrorball, the funk-laden Thin White Duke-era Bowie-tinged I Ain't Quite Where I think I Am, and the almost mystical mid-album crooner Body Paint.
9. The Debbie for Debut Album of the Year
Winner: Angels & Queens Part I - Gabriels
Runner Up: Quiet the Room - Skullcrusher
2022 has also been a very strong year for new musical artists. For the first time in a long while I really struggled to decide on an eventual winner between a handful of very impressive debuts. Ultimately, I had to go with Angels & Queens Part I, the debut LP from California trio Gabriels. Soul revivalists with an edge, a frontman with a dazzling voice, and consistently strong songwriting that is as comfortable dabbling in the realms of funk and jazz. It's impressive how fresh this sounds, despite its deep ties to nostalgia and history, with key tracks like Angels & Queens and If You Only Knew.
For the runner up position, we have the very inaptly named Skullcrusher and her debut album Quiet the Room. Despite how the name sounds, Skullcrusher is, in fact, a musician with a talent for crafting delicate, multi-instrumental folk songs. For the past two years she has impressed with a series of EP releases and her debut does not disappoint. The standout track here is Whatever Fits Together, a gorgeous and otherworldly slice of melancholy.
10. The Debbie for Song of the Year
Winner: Zenith - Kavinsky
Runners Up: New Romance - Beach House, Wo Bisch du Hut z Nacht - Patent Ochsner
After years of radio silence, it feels strange to say that we have a new album from French DJ Kavinsky, yet here we are. His follow up album may not be the cultural touchstone of its predecessor, but it is still very impressive work. The pinnacle of the record has got to be second single Zenith, a veritable masterpiece of atmospheric composition with its vintage, cinematic instrumentals and melancholic vocals. Kavinsky is just great. He takes Blade Runner, Terminator, and everything dark and stormy about the 1980s and distils it into its pure musical essence. If ever a song could be described as sounding like a late night glass of fine scotch, it's this.
For our first runner up, we have the standout track from our album of the year winner, Beach House. New Romance is an immaculately formed slice of indie pop. A nostalgic backdrop of synth strings against driving piano keys bring to life a wistful, angsty ode to the confusion of young romance. It is a standout from what is already a top collection of songs.
And lastly we have (I believe) a first for the Debbie Awards, a top three placing for a song not sung in the English language. Patent Ochsner is Switzerland's greatest musical export. This year the band released two new tracks, one of which is pretty special. I'll admit, the finer points of Swiss German are lost on me, but musically, Wo bisch du hut z Nacht is a classic. Starting off as jazzy, low-fi affair before swelling into a Paul McCartney-esque piano anthem. Music doesn't only come from the UK or America, and this is one of the year's standout tracks.
11. The Debbie for Live Concert of the Year
Winner: First Aid Kit
There are few things that so appropriately celebrate the fact that we can go out and do things together again than live concerts. You can watch someone perform online all you like, but it's never going to be the same as seeing it in person. First Aid Kit are a band very much worth making that extra effort to see in person. The Swedish indie-folk duo are excellent songwriters in general, and in 2022 released another very strong album in Palomino. But their live performance elevates the music to the next level. Up close and personal, you can feel the detail in the music in a way that isn't as easily accessible from a studio recording. Those luscious, iconic, vocal harmonies resonate like never before. The two sisters also have great personality and chemistry on stage, which does much to bring their work to life in an entirely new way.
11. The Debbie for Live Concert of the Year
Winner: First Aid Kit
There are few things that so appropriately celebrate the fact that we can go out and do things together again than live concerts. You can watch someone perform online all you like, but it's never going to be the same as seeing it in person. First Aid Kit are a band very much worth making that extra effort to see in person. The Swedish indie-folk duo are excellent songwriters in general, and in 2022 released another very strong album in Palomino. But their live performance elevates the music to the next level. Up close and personal, you can feel the detail in the music in a way that isn't as easily accessible from a studio recording. Those luscious, iconic, vocal harmonies resonate like never before. The two sisters also have great personality and chemistry on stage, which does much to bring their work to life in an entirely new way.
12. The Debbie for Art Exhibition of the Year
Winner: The Bushwick Collective
For this Debbie I'm thinking a little bit outside of the box. Partly because I haven't seen any museum exhibition this year that really blew me away, partly because The Bushwick Collective is really pretty damn awesome. Located, surprisingly, in Bushwick, New York, the Collective is effectively an open-air gallery covering an entire neighbourhood, featuring extraordinary building-sized murals, graffiti and other artwork. It really is a sight to behold, and as a living, breathing artistic space the work is constantly evolving. Last year marked the 10 year anniversary of the collective, so there has never been a better time to visit.
13. The Debbie for Book of the Year
Winner: Sea of Tranquility - Emily St. John Mandel
Business & Technology
14. The Debbie for Scientific/Technological Breakthrough of the Year
Winner: NIF achieves net energy gain fusion reaction
It's easy to be skeptical when the media publishes a story about some "breakthrough" with headlines of typically breathless hyperbole, particularly when it concerns that holiest of grails, fusion energy. But in this case, the hype is warranted. After decades of work, false dawns, and a target that's always just tantalisingly out of reach, in 2022 the National Ignition Facility in Livermore California finally achieved the unachievable, a fusion reaction with a net gain in energy.
I am fortunate that, through my line of work as well as my own personal interests and reading, I am able to come across incredible examples of innovation. Business ideas that are not only great businesses, but also with the capacity to affect a positive change on the world. Labster is one of the most exciting names in EdTech, a platform that provides accurate virtual simulations to allow students to engage in risk free experimentation and learning, using storylines and game elements. Originally founded in 2012, this company has been a regular fixture of tech conferences and industry writers. 2022 has seen them become one of the fastest growing companies in the sector and the recipient of numerous accolades and write ups as the concept continues to take off.
Sports
18. The Debbie for Footballer of the Year
Winner: Karim Benzema - Real Madrid
This was not as simple a contest to decide as it may seem. Is Karim Benzema the best player in the world right now? Probably not. I have become a vocal critic of what football's biggest individual prize, the Ballon D'Or, has turned into in recent years. Historically a prize for whichever player has had the standout year, determined by personal accomplishments, quality, as well as club and international honours. During the Messi/Ronaldo era, however, it turned into a subjective "who is the best player in the world right now" prize, regardless of that player's actual accomplishments. Messi and Ronaldo were wonderful players and deserved many of the Ballon D'Ors that they claimed, but no one can say with a straight face that Franck Ribery shouldn't have won in 2013 when he was the lynchpin of an all-conquering Bayern side, or Virgil Van Dijk in 2019 when he carried a Liverpool side to European glory. For Messi's incredible talent, I would even argue that there were years during the Pep Barcelona era where Andrés Iniesta or Xavi would have been more deserving of the prize.
19. The Debbie for Under-21 Footballer of the Year
Winner: Erling Haaland - Manchester City
However, while he may not be claiming the big prize this year, Erling Haaland did start the year still aged just 21. That is a thought that should terrify fans of any other club in the world, as well as make him eligible for the U21 Footballer of the Year prize. Haaland is without doubt one of the best footballers on the planet right now, an unstoppable force of strength, speed, and precision. He has been unstoppable since signing for Manchester City and if he continues in this fashion he will surely be claiming the top individual prize in the near future.
20. The Debbie for Football Manager of the Year
Winner: Carlo Ancelotti - Real Madird
If there had previously been any doubt as to Carlo Ancelotti's place in football history, that is surely no longer the case. Ancelotti is one of history's best football managers. His longevity at the apex of the game is second to none, having won his first Champions League title as a manager in 2002 and his most recent 20 years later in 2022. His four Champions League titles won as a manager (not even including the two he won as a player) make him the most decorated manager in the history of the sport's most prestigious club competition. A serial winner pretty much wherever he goes (hard luck, Everton) and still potentially with many years left.
21. The Debbie for Football Club of the Year
Winner: Bayern Munich
Here's a piece of trivia for you. Which one major football club managed to maintain a profit during the Covid years? The answer is German superclub Bayern Munich. On the pitch, it's a great time to be following Die Bayern. Considered by many to be the favourites for this year's Champions League, the young and forward thinking manager Julian Nagelsmann leads a side that mixes the top tier, seasoned experience of players like Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, and Sadio Mané with the exciting young talents of (I have to point this out, it's basically a meme at this point) Chelsea academy product Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Matthijs de Ligt. But it's off the pitch where Bayern Munich continues to shine as a model of a well run football club. A financial powerhouse of the game, even without the eye-watering TV deals English and Spanish clubs enjoy. Purveyors of consistently shrewd dealings in the commercial and transfer markets. Best of all, the 50 plus 1 ownership rule in Germany makes Bayern the world's most successful fan-owned club.
Current Events
22. The Debbie for Politician of the Year
Winner: Raphael Warnock
23. The Debbie for Scandal of the Year
Winner: The catastrophic self-destruction of Liz Truss
Also a contender for best comedy routine of 2022. This year we were blessed with a veritable smorgasbord of scandals from which to choose. From sports cheats, to the ongoing criminal case against Donald Trump, from FTX, to whatever the heck is going on at Twitter right now. Hell we even had a UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, resign in disgrace. So what could possibly top that? How about a UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, resigning in disgrace after just 49 days, the shortest premiership in the history of the United Kingdom. What could possibly have caused a major and apparently serious political party to oust their leader mere weeks after electing her? It all started with a budget so disastrous it nearly caused a collapse of the UK economy, followed by an embarrassing reversal and numerous sackings just a few days later. This chaos was not the steady hand Britain needed in the wake of the Boris crisis. But through all of these missteps, it was Truss's complete lack of leadership, her inability to communicate to markets, voters, and political leaders, that sealed her fate. It was clear before she even held office that Truss was not suited to the big job. The Conservative Party's plan must have been to find someone inoffensive and bland to weather the Boris storm and it backfired in a historic and humiliating fashion.
24. The Debbie for Cause of the Year
Winner: Humanitarian relief in Ukraine
The idea of all-out war in Europe would have been unthinkable a few years ago. It's easy (although still morally unjustifiable) to tune out of news stories regarding conflict in far flung corners of the world, but this is right on our doorstep. It's a developed country with Starbucks and Apple. A tourism hub. Many of us will know people directly or indirectly affected by the conflict, friends and colleagues who have had to leave the country, or worse, know someone still left behind. The idea of this becoming a war-torn land, with all the innocent suffering and atrocities we have seen in the past few months is, again, unthinkable. We must not allow ourselves to grow numb to it.
25. The Debbie for Person of the Year
Winner: Volodymyr Zelensky
There was only ever going to be one winner of this year's prize. They say the moment makes the man, and that certainly is the case when it comes to a former comedian turned novelty political candidate, Volodymyr Zelensky. Prior to the invasion, the impression one had of Zelensky was that of a well-intentioned man sorely out of his depth, whether it was an apparent naive optimism with regards to Russian aggression, or the way in which he himself embroiled as a passenger in the Trump bribery scandal. But Zelensky has proven himself a man of far greater political nous than we could ever have expected and a war-time leader capable of leading from the front with incredible courage and grace. Rather than naivete, his Russia strategy has shown itself to be one of reassuring calm and quiet focus. For a man who faces a very real threat on his life and that of his family on a daily basis, he has managed to remain firm and galvanise both his nation and the world at large in the face of tyranny. It's such a remarkable story that it could almost be the plotline of a movie, let's just hope this one has a happy ending.
Social & Lifestyle
26. The Debbie for Restaurant of the Year
Winner: The Princess of Shoreditch
Runner Up: Olmsted
I award this year's best restaurant Debbie with a tinge of sadness. The standout eatery of 2022 (and there have been a lot) is London's own The Princess of Shoreditch, the renowned gastro pub in the heart of, surprisingly, Shoreditch. This is English cuisine of the very highest calibre. Featuring both a formal set menu and casual à la carte, these dishes are all impeccably presented and delicious, with the chef imprinting their personality through clever and innovative twists on classics. I say a tinge of sadness, because this is all the production of the prodigious Ruth Hansom, who at just age 24 is one of the UK's most exciting chefs. Sadly, Hansom is leaving the Princess of Shoreditch to pursue new endeavours. One can only hope the Princess of Shoreditch can find a suitable replacement, but these will be difficult shoes to fill.
27. The Debbie for New Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Contento
Remaining on the wrong side of the pond, this blog's pick for the best new restaurant of the year goes to Contento. Located in the New York neighbourhood of Harlem, a part of town that a few years ago you probably wouldn't have wanted to visit that now is on the brink of gentrification, Contento is worth the trip up north. Contento has made headlines for its wheelchair accessibility and social sustainability, but ultimately it's the immense quality of the food that makes this a memorable place. A Peruvian restaurant with a New York twist, the menu includes staples like yuca, ceviche, and various arroz. But then you also have short rib with udon noodles and a pleasingly cheesy "quinotto".
28. The Debbie for Club/Bar of the Year
Winner: Síbín
Tucked away behind a false door in a nondescript hotel near Trafalgar Square, Síbín is easy to miss, but for those who know where to look, you will find a haven for whisky lovers. The breadth of their selection is impressive, as well as their cocktail and mocktail offerings for those so inclined, but it is the knowledge of the bar staff that make this a truly premier experience for enthusiasts.
29. The Debbie for Destination of the Year
Winner: Berlin, Germany
I have traveled to many of the European hotspots during my life, but for whatever reason Berlin is a city that has managed to evade my travel list. In 2022, this changed and I am glad to have finally made the acquaintance of the German capital. Berlin is known as a cultural hub for its art, theatre and music, with an eclectic vibe owing to its distinct historical eras. This is borne out through the starkly contrasting architecture of the city's different neighbourhoods, a mix of post-war brutalism and ornate classical construction, which despite its differences all somehow manages to form part of a cohesive and unique identity.
30. The Debbie for Wine of the Year
Winner: Champagne Roger Brun Cuvée des Sires, Millésime 2013
2022's wine of the year belongs to Roger Brun, a small family-run winery near Ay. Run by Philippe Brun, known locally as a personnage célèbre and something of an eccentric, whose individualism comes across in the bold complexion of the house's champagne. The cuvée des sires is a highly sought after cuvée made with first press juice from 2/3 pinot noir and 1/3 chardonnay, vinified in oak. A delicious and smooth wine with just enough of a punch, notes of vanilla, peaches and sweet spices.
31. The Debbie for Tipple of the Year
Winner: Malfy Gin Con Arancia
And finally our award for best tipple, a non-wine alcoholic beverage in which you would be wise to partake, goes to Malfy Gin con Arancia. This is the blood orange flavoured gin from Piedmontese distillery Malfy, an Italian brand quickly gaining a global prominence for their stylish branding, bright colours and delicious flavours. That their gin is itself of a very high quality is essential, but it's the exquisite flavoured gins that stand out, with just the right amount of fruitiness to add a bit of life to the drink without tasting overly sweet or tacky.
Well there you have it, another year in the books. Here's to 2023 being a year of peace, good health, and further progress. See you there!
Winner: The Bushwick Collective
For this Debbie I'm thinking a little bit outside of the box. Partly because I haven't seen any museum exhibition this year that really blew me away, partly because The Bushwick Collective is really pretty damn awesome. Located, surprisingly, in Bushwick, New York, the Collective is effectively an open-air gallery covering an entire neighbourhood, featuring extraordinary building-sized murals, graffiti and other artwork. It really is a sight to behold, and as a living, breathing artistic space the work is constantly evolving. Last year marked the 10 year anniversary of the collective, so there has never been a better time to visit.
13. The Debbie for Book of the Year
Winner: Sea of Tranquility - Emily St. John Mandel
Emily St. John Mandel is on a roll at the moment, with acclaimed novels The Glass Hotel and Station Eleven out in the last few years, one of which has been turned into a hit TV series, the other of which is about to be. In 2022, Mandel released her latest novel, Sea of Tranquility, and it's a pretty exceptional read. An intelligent, but page-turning adventure, written with wit and a cinematic sense of fun. Sea of Tranquility takes readers across time and space that nimbly balances its ambitious scope with intimate character-focused storytelling. It's impressive how far out there Mandel is able to go with some of her concepts without ever alienating the reader or feeling like its getting into too niche a genre, but here she gets the balance just right. The highlight of 2022's reading list and a novel that's hard not to enjoy.
Business & Technology
14. The Debbie for Scientific/Technological Breakthrough of the Year
Winner: NIF achieves net energy gain fusion reaction
It's easy to be skeptical when the media publishes a story about some "breakthrough" with headlines of typically breathless hyperbole, particularly when it concerns that holiest of grails, fusion energy. But in this case, the hype is warranted. After decades of work, false dawns, and a target that's always just tantalisingly out of reach, in 2022 the National Ignition Facility in Livermore California finally achieved the unachievable, a fusion reaction with a net gain in energy.
For those who don't appreciate the background here, fusion energy is the energy that is produced when two lighter atoms fuse to form a heavier atom, releasing energy in the process. Hypothetically, a fusion reaction can produce more energy than is required to trigger the reaction. This is the process which drives the sun and stars, the generators of most of the universe's energy and matter. To be clear, this is not a promise of unlimited energy, nothing is unlimited. But its fuel source, deuterium, is so plentiful that it could potentially provide all the clean energy mankind will need for billions of years. Not unlimited, but in practical terms it may as well be. By managing to generate a net gain of energy, the NIF has demonstrated for the first time that the fusion energy process can be feasibly recreated here on Earth. After so many years of hope, that dream of energy abundance may finally be within our grasp, and it will absolutely change the world.
15. The Debbie for Videogame Console of the Year
Winner: Playdate
The gaming industry as a whole tends to obsess over technology, whether it was the bit-count back in the day, or processing power today. But time and time again we see that the best gaming experiences tend to come from good design rather than simple horsepower. When I first heard about the Playdate, I was skeptical. This is an unashamedly nostalgic 1-bit handheld system with the main hook being that once every two weeks it will download a new game, giving its owner a constantly changing library of experiences. But it's hard not to be won over by this charming piece of hardware. The build quality is excellent, for a start. The new "crank" control mechanic is used in innovative ways. The fortnightly "surprise" new game is a delightful treat. But above all, the games themselves are generally pretty clever, with some of the industry's best indie designers putting out content (most prominently, Lucas Pope of Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn fame). This really is a delight, perfect for travelers and commuters, but also fully recommended for anyone who wants to play something a little bit different.
16. The Debbie for Videogame of the Year
Winner: Pentiment (PC, Xbox)
Runners Up: Strange Horticulture (PC, MacOS, Switch)
15. The Debbie for Videogame Console of the Year
Winner: Playdate
The gaming industry as a whole tends to obsess over technology, whether it was the bit-count back in the day, or processing power today. But time and time again we see that the best gaming experiences tend to come from good design rather than simple horsepower. When I first heard about the Playdate, I was skeptical. This is an unashamedly nostalgic 1-bit handheld system with the main hook being that once every two weeks it will download a new game, giving its owner a constantly changing library of experiences. But it's hard not to be won over by this charming piece of hardware. The build quality is excellent, for a start. The new "crank" control mechanic is used in innovative ways. The fortnightly "surprise" new game is a delightful treat. But above all, the games themselves are generally pretty clever, with some of the industry's best indie designers putting out content (most prominently, Lucas Pope of Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn fame). This really is a delight, perfect for travelers and commuters, but also fully recommended for anyone who wants to play something a little bit different.
16. The Debbie for Videogame of the Year
Winner: Pentiment (PC, Xbox)
Runners Up: Strange Horticulture (PC, MacOS, Switch)
Honourable Mention: Unpacking (PC, MacOS, Linux, Switch, Xbox, Playstation)
As a quick foreword: this really has been a weird year for gaming. For whatever reason, it's clear that this industry is taking longer than most to recover from the pandemic, and the result is that most of the year's biggest releases (an astonishing 12 out of 15 of this year's Hot List) have seen delays into 2023. For this reason, I expected this award to be a difficult one to decide. However, in spite of the difficulties, 2022 did turn out to be an excellent year for indie games, as well as games that aren't really indie but feel like they are.
As a quick foreword: this really has been a weird year for gaming. For whatever reason, it's clear that this industry is taking longer than most to recover from the pandemic, and the result is that most of the year's biggest releases (an astonishing 12 out of 15 of this year's Hot List) have seen delays into 2023. For this reason, I expected this award to be a difficult one to decide. However, in spite of the difficulties, 2022 did turn out to be an excellent year for indie games, as well as games that aren't really indie but feel like they are.
Representing the latter, we have this year's best game, Pentiment. Pentiment is the latest from masters of world-building RPGs, Obsidian, essentially a detective game set across three acts in 16th Century Bavaria. The gameplay is fairly simplistic, explore, talk to people, make decisions, but the level of autonomy that players are offered in determining their own character and driving forward the plot result in an experience with far greater depth than one might expect. The writing is also as stellar as one would expect from Obsidian, crafting a world full of interesting characters, social dynamics, and religious tensions that is enthralling to discover. But of course, no summary of Pentiment can be complete without a mention of the visuals, which draw on medieval and renaissance art styles to create a gameworld unlike anything you will have seen before, full of little details like different typefaces and painting styles to reflect each character's personality and place in society. A wonderful game that would be a worthy winner in any year.
2022 was a very strong year for indie games. One which stood out in particular, and which claims this year's first runner up prize, is Strange Horticulture. This is a marvel of clever game design, effectively a plant-shop detective adventure. Players run the titular plant nursery in a fantastical Victorian setting, collecting an array of unidentified plants and herbs that must be identified through a combination of environmental clues, the player's own observations, and an incomplete horticultural compendium. There are some exploration mechanics and an overarching plot (that I found to be mainly a distraction), but the real meat of the game is in this detective mechanic, and it is surprisingly riveting. The combination of having gameplay driven by a player's own investigative ability, along with the absolutely charming visuals, artwork and setting, makes for a cosy experience that is quite magical.
I would also like to make a quick honourable mention to Unpacking, a game which came out in 2021 and so is ineligible for this year's awards. I was late to discover this game, but if I had, it would almost certainly have been a big contender for last year's prize. On the surface, this just looks like your typical cozy game, unpacking items from boxes and placing them around a pleasingly drawn isometric home. What I did not expect, and what does not become apparent until later into the game, is the remarkable, nuanced storytelling that runs through the experience. The items your protagonist takes with them from each home to the next (and the items they don't), the items that are already there when they move in, these things all tell a story. The subtlety of the storytelling is nothing short of ingenious, and I've never seen anything quite like it.
17. The Debbie for Company of the Year
Winner: Labster
17. The Debbie for Company of the Year
Winner: Labster
I am fortunate that, through my line of work as well as my own personal interests and reading, I am able to come across incredible examples of innovation. Business ideas that are not only great businesses, but also with the capacity to affect a positive change on the world. Labster is one of the most exciting names in EdTech, a platform that provides accurate virtual simulations to allow students to engage in risk free experimentation and learning, using storylines and game elements. Originally founded in 2012, this company has been a regular fixture of tech conferences and industry writers. 2022 has seen them become one of the fastest growing companies in the sector and the recipient of numerous accolades and write ups as the concept continues to take off.
Sports
18. The Debbie for Footballer of the Year
Winner: Karim Benzema - Real Madrid
This was not as simple a contest to decide as it may seem. Is Karim Benzema the best player in the world right now? Probably not. I have become a vocal critic of what football's biggest individual prize, the Ballon D'Or, has turned into in recent years. Historically a prize for whichever player has had the standout year, determined by personal accomplishments, quality, as well as club and international honours. During the Messi/Ronaldo era, however, it turned into a subjective "who is the best player in the world right now" prize, regardless of that player's actual accomplishments. Messi and Ronaldo were wonderful players and deserved many of the Ballon D'Ors that they claimed, but no one can say with a straight face that Franck Ribery shouldn't have won in 2013 when he was the lynchpin of an all-conquering Bayern side, or Virgil Van Dijk in 2019 when he carried a Liverpool side to European glory. For Messi's incredible talent, I would even argue that there were years during the Pep Barcelona era where Andrés Iniesta or Xavi would have been more deserving of the prize.
The point I am making here is this: is Karim Benzema the best player in the world in 2022? No. He's up there, but you can't pretend that he's better than Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappé right now. What Benzema has done, however, is achieve a great year personally, leading the line at one of the world's biggest clubs, in a year where they were crowned champions of Spain and Europe as a whole. Their time will come, but 2022 was Benzema's year, the player who has stood out the most as having had an exceptional year in the game.
19. The Debbie for Under-21 Footballer of the Year
Winner: Erling Haaland - Manchester City
However, while he may not be claiming the big prize this year, Erling Haaland did start the year still aged just 21. That is a thought that should terrify fans of any other club in the world, as well as make him eligible for the U21 Footballer of the Year prize. Haaland is without doubt one of the best footballers on the planet right now, an unstoppable force of strength, speed, and precision. He has been unstoppable since signing for Manchester City and if he continues in this fashion he will surely be claiming the top individual prize in the near future.
20. The Debbie for Football Manager of the Year
Winner: Carlo Ancelotti - Real Madird
If there had previously been any doubt as to Carlo Ancelotti's place in football history, that is surely no longer the case. Ancelotti is one of history's best football managers. His longevity at the apex of the game is second to none, having won his first Champions League title as a manager in 2002 and his most recent 20 years later in 2022. His four Champions League titles won as a manager (not even including the two he won as a player) make him the most decorated manager in the history of the sport's most prestigious club competition. A serial winner pretty much wherever he goes (hard luck, Everton) and still potentially with many years left.
21. The Debbie for Football Club of the Year
Winner: Bayern Munich
Here's a piece of trivia for you. Which one major football club managed to maintain a profit during the Covid years? The answer is German superclub Bayern Munich. On the pitch, it's a great time to be following Die Bayern. Considered by many to be the favourites for this year's Champions League, the young and forward thinking manager Julian Nagelsmann leads a side that mixes the top tier, seasoned experience of players like Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, and Sadio Mané with the exciting young talents of (I have to point this out, it's basically a meme at this point) Chelsea academy product Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Matthijs de Ligt. But it's off the pitch where Bayern Munich continues to shine as a model of a well run football club. A financial powerhouse of the game, even without the eye-watering TV deals English and Spanish clubs enjoy. Purveyors of consistently shrewd dealings in the commercial and transfer markets. Best of all, the 50 plus 1 ownership rule in Germany makes Bayern the world's most successful fan-owned club.
Current Events
22. The Debbie for Politician of the Year
Winner: Raphael Warnock
I am aware that my political punditry tends to have an American bias. I came very close this year to awarding this prize to a European politician instead, but the more I thought about it, the more difficulty I had in not giving this prize to Raphael Warnock. No one in the history of democracy has had to work as hard to win their seat as Warnock. The Georgia Senator has been up for election an astonishing and record breaking four times in two years, first in the mid-term special election for his seat in 2020, then for the official end of term election in 2022, requiring a run-off election in both years. The fact that he managed to win all these races, in a historically conservative state no less, is quite the feat of endurance and messaging. He now enters a full six-year term, but hopefully will find time for a bit of rest first.
23. The Debbie for Scandal of the Year
Winner: The catastrophic self-destruction of Liz Truss
Also a contender for best comedy routine of 2022. This year we were blessed with a veritable smorgasbord of scandals from which to choose. From sports cheats, to the ongoing criminal case against Donald Trump, from FTX, to whatever the heck is going on at Twitter right now. Hell we even had a UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, resign in disgrace. So what could possibly top that? How about a UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss, resigning in disgrace after just 49 days, the shortest premiership in the history of the United Kingdom. What could possibly have caused a major and apparently serious political party to oust their leader mere weeks after electing her? It all started with a budget so disastrous it nearly caused a collapse of the UK economy, followed by an embarrassing reversal and numerous sackings just a few days later. This chaos was not the steady hand Britain needed in the wake of the Boris crisis. But through all of these missteps, it was Truss's complete lack of leadership, her inability to communicate to markets, voters, and political leaders, that sealed her fate. It was clear before she even held office that Truss was not suited to the big job. The Conservative Party's plan must have been to find someone inoffensive and bland to weather the Boris storm and it backfired in a historic and humiliating fashion.
24. The Debbie for Cause of the Year
Winner: Humanitarian relief in Ukraine
The idea of all-out war in Europe would have been unthinkable a few years ago. It's easy (although still morally unjustifiable) to tune out of news stories regarding conflict in far flung corners of the world, but this is right on our doorstep. It's a developed country with Starbucks and Apple. A tourism hub. Many of us will know people directly or indirectly affected by the conflict, friends and colleagues who have had to leave the country, or worse, know someone still left behind. The idea of this becoming a war-torn land, with all the innocent suffering and atrocities we have seen in the past few months is, again, unthinkable. We must not allow ourselves to grow numb to it.
So what can you do? Consider sending humanitarian aid, or donating money. Heck, even something as simple as raising awareness with a post on social media can help. Demand political action through petitions, demonstrations, and most of all, your vote. Of course, there's only so much the average person can do here, but through collective action we can put pressure on those who are in a position of power to do something.
25. The Debbie for Person of the Year
Winner: Volodymyr Zelensky
There was only ever going to be one winner of this year's prize. They say the moment makes the man, and that certainly is the case when it comes to a former comedian turned novelty political candidate, Volodymyr Zelensky. Prior to the invasion, the impression one had of Zelensky was that of a well-intentioned man sorely out of his depth, whether it was an apparent naive optimism with regards to Russian aggression, or the way in which he himself embroiled as a passenger in the Trump bribery scandal. But Zelensky has proven himself a man of far greater political nous than we could ever have expected and a war-time leader capable of leading from the front with incredible courage and grace. Rather than naivete, his Russia strategy has shown itself to be one of reassuring calm and quiet focus. For a man who faces a very real threat on his life and that of his family on a daily basis, he has managed to remain firm and galvanise both his nation and the world at large in the face of tyranny. It's such a remarkable story that it could almost be the plotline of a movie, let's just hope this one has a happy ending.
Social & Lifestyle
26. The Debbie for Restaurant of the Year
Winner: The Princess of Shoreditch
Runner Up: Olmsted
I award this year's best restaurant Debbie with a tinge of sadness. The standout eatery of 2022 (and there have been a lot) is London's own The Princess of Shoreditch, the renowned gastro pub in the heart of, surprisingly, Shoreditch. This is English cuisine of the very highest calibre. Featuring both a formal set menu and casual à la carte, these dishes are all impeccably presented and delicious, with the chef imprinting their personality through clever and innovative twists on classics. I say a tinge of sadness, because this is all the production of the prodigious Ruth Hansom, who at just age 24 is one of the UK's most exciting chefs. Sadly, Hansom is leaving the Princess of Shoreditch to pursue new endeavours. One can only hope the Princess of Shoreditch can find a suitable replacement, but these will be difficult shoes to fill.
For the runner up prize, we hop across the Atlantic to Brooklyn, New York. Olmsted is a rare slice of originality in the realm of high end cuisine and one of the more unique dining experiences you can have today. Seated outside in the restaurant's garden, surrounded by assorted clutter: inhabited chicken coops, home-grown produce and herbs, and for some reason a Captain America shield. Olmsted brings to mind a real-world version of Oobah Butler's notorious The Shed at Dulwich. For a restaurant that has been adorned with praise from the culinary world, this feels very much like a casual family-run establishment. The food itself is both delicious and unexpected in their ingredients and presentation. Delectable crab rangoons served in a takeaway box. A divine, buttery carrot/pancake salad. Homemade bread with olive oil jam. It's a restaurant that oozes with idiosyncrasy, a highly memorable one.
27. The Debbie for New Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Contento
Remaining on the wrong side of the pond, this blog's pick for the best new restaurant of the year goes to Contento. Located in the New York neighbourhood of Harlem, a part of town that a few years ago you probably wouldn't have wanted to visit that now is on the brink of gentrification, Contento is worth the trip up north. Contento has made headlines for its wheelchair accessibility and social sustainability, but ultimately it's the immense quality of the food that makes this a memorable place. A Peruvian restaurant with a New York twist, the menu includes staples like yuca, ceviche, and various arroz. But then you also have short rib with udon noodles and a pleasingly cheesy "quinotto".
28. The Debbie for Club/Bar of the Year
Winner: Síbín
Tucked away behind a false door in a nondescript hotel near Trafalgar Square, Síbín is easy to miss, but for those who know where to look, you will find a haven for whisky lovers. The breadth of their selection is impressive, as well as their cocktail and mocktail offerings for those so inclined, but it is the knowledge of the bar staff that make this a truly premier experience for enthusiasts.
29. The Debbie for Destination of the Year
Winner: Berlin, Germany
I have traveled to many of the European hotspots during my life, but for whatever reason Berlin is a city that has managed to evade my travel list. In 2022, this changed and I am glad to have finally made the acquaintance of the German capital. Berlin is known as a cultural hub for its art, theatre and music, with an eclectic vibe owing to its distinct historical eras. This is borne out through the starkly contrasting architecture of the city's different neighbourhoods, a mix of post-war brutalism and ornate classical construction, which despite its differences all somehow manages to form part of a cohesive and unique identity.
30. The Debbie for Wine of the Year
Winner: Champagne Roger Brun Cuvée des Sires, Millésime 2013
2022's wine of the year belongs to Roger Brun, a small family-run winery near Ay. Run by Philippe Brun, known locally as a personnage célèbre and something of an eccentric, whose individualism comes across in the bold complexion of the house's champagne. The cuvée des sires is a highly sought after cuvée made with first press juice from 2/3 pinot noir and 1/3 chardonnay, vinified in oak. A delicious and smooth wine with just enough of a punch, notes of vanilla, peaches and sweet spices.
31. The Debbie for Tipple of the Year
Winner: Malfy Gin Con Arancia
And finally our award for best tipple, a non-wine alcoholic beverage in which you would be wise to partake, goes to Malfy Gin con Arancia. This is the blood orange flavoured gin from Piedmontese distillery Malfy, an Italian brand quickly gaining a global prominence for their stylish branding, bright colours and delicious flavours. That their gin is itself of a very high quality is essential, but it's the exquisite flavoured gins that stand out, with just the right amount of fruitiness to add a bit of life to the drink without tasting overly sweet or tacky.
Well there you have it, another year in the books. Here's to 2023 being a year of peace, good health, and further progress. See you there!
