John Newton is a freelance writer, journalist and novelist.  He writes on food, eating, travel, farming and associated environmental issues for anybody who will pay him - which has included, among others, the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Slow International, The Art of Eating (once so far) and Sydney Magazine.  He is also co-editor of the restaurant guide Sydney Eats and The Foodies Guide to Sydney with Helen Greenwood.  His most recent award was the Gold Ladle for Best Food Journalist in the 2005 World Food Media Awards.  Some of his books are: The Man Who Painted Women, a novel; Wogfood: an oral history with recipes; Fresh From Italy with Stefano Manfredi; The Food of Spain and Beppi, a life in three courses with Beppi Polese.  His most recent book is The Roots of Civilisation: Plants that Changed the World.