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More Details on Gourmet's Collapse

YumSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:30:32 -0700

Yesterday morning began with breaking news that, after 68 years of publication, Gourmet was going out of print, and now we have more details on the magazine's collapse. Although the glossy will cease to exist, the Gourmet brand will live on through book publishing and TV programs. Staffers at the magazine were first unaware, then teary-eyed and harried, as they were allegedly given 48 hours to leave.

According to publisher Condé Nast, which staunchly defended its position, star editor Ruth Reichl will likely part ways with the publishing house, although this has not been confirmed. She, too, admitted her surprise, tweeting, "Thank you all so much for this outpouring of support. We're all stunned, sad . . . Hard to believe it's over."

Hard to believe indeed. From food personalities to subscribers, everyone has shown an overwhelming amount of regret. I'll miss the pages of exquisite photography and timeless travel pieces, and Party doesn't know how she'll live without the recipes. What will you miss about Gourmet?

Gourmet Magazine to Fold

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:43:25 -0700

This morning, Condé Nast announced its oldest food title, Gourmet magazine, is folding. There were telltale signs of trouble: the glossy, which will print its last issue in November, just underwent budget cuts. As early as the onset of 2009, rumors were already flying that Gourmet would not see the end of the year.

The speculation didn't prepare me for the shellshock of Gourmet's demise. After all, the magazine, which has been published since December 1940, is an institution. I would have thought they could cut issues to six a year, or even quarterly, before shutting down such a venerable publication. It's wishful thinking, but a part of me hopes this is just some sort of sick publicity stunt. Are you as stunned as I am?

Yum's March Must Haves

partysugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:50:04 -0800

Can you believe March is already here? With it comes longer days, the arrival of Spring, and St. Patrick's Day! Oh not to mention all the wonderful fresh produce - asparagus, artichokes, spring onions - that will be popping up in farmers markets very soon. To ensure that you make the most of March, I've rounded up the items I can't live without this month. To find out what they are, start clicking.

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Where Do You Read Food Magazines?

partysugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:15:05 -0800

I recently had a very interesting conversation with Molly about people who read food magazines at the gym - while working out! The chitchat evolved and soon we were talking about where we read them. I like to hide behind Food and Wine on the bus and Molly checks out Bon Appétit while waiting in line at the grocery store. So fess up, where do you read food magazines?

Food Network Magazine Doesn't Break New Ground

YumSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:00:31 -0700

A month ago, we reported that Food Network was launching its own magazine on Oct. 14. Well, yesterday, we got our hands on the premiere issue of Food Network Magazine. To learn more about the new glossy and get our initial thoughts, read more.

What's great: Since visualizing a dish is crucial for me, my favorite part of the issue was the highly organized recipe index, a spread with thumbnail shots of every recipe listed in the issue, along with the name and page, organized by meal part. The majority of the recipes are not available on the network's website and are fun and approachable.

What's not so great: Key elements - a mac and cheese-themed taste test, the size of the book, the overall feel - largely resemble Rachael Ray's magazine, Every Day With Rachael Ray. It didn't come as a surprise to learn that the editor in chief, Maile Carpenter, was a former editor at Ray's magazine.

In PartySugar's opinion, the magazine felt dumbed down. Both of us agreed that the entire publication was like a plug to draw readers back to the Food Network. The book roundup promoted all the stars' newest cookbooks, and behind-the-scenes features focused on Iron Chef America. The secret ingredient from an upcoming battle was even blurred out in pictures, with a side note: "What's the secret ingredient? Catch the battle at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 16!"

Does getting the scoop on the magazine make you want to read it? Do you have plans to subscribe?

Food Network Magazine Is Here to Stay

YumSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:00:35 -0800

Last month, we reviewed the "test" edition of Food Network's eponymous magazine, and we didn't think it broke new ground. But apparently its publisher does: Hearst Corporation has decided to give the magazine the official go-ahead. Said Hearst VP Alec Casey:

We have had a great initial response to the first test issue, and feel confident that this magazine will resonate with consumers. At Hearst, we are always looking at how we can introduce new products that fill a need in the marketplace, and we think Food Network Magazine fits that bill.

Another test issue is planned for January 2009 and will be followed by the first official issue in June/July 2009. The issues are scheduled to hit newsstands every other month, but eventually the glossy plans to transition into becoming a monthly.

Have you picked up a copy of the magazine at the newsstand yet? What do you think of Hearst's plans for a massive rollout?

Everyone's a Critic, But It Takes an Expert to Be Good

YumSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:18:51 -0700

Sure, anyone can be a critic, but isn't the info always a bit more intriguing when it's coming from an expert? The folks at Good magazine thought so, and they've enlisted several experts to help critique select foods.

So who did they bring in? A teacher to talk about apples, a pilot to talk about airplane food, a cop to talk about doughnuts, and a rock star to talk about whiskey. Here are some of my favorite excerpts.

Andrea Peterson, teacher, on apples:

I absolutely love apples, and believe it or not, several times a year, a student actually does give me one. . . . If I had my pick, though, instead of apples, I’d love to be getting Starbucks gift cards.

Patrick Smith, pilot, on airplane food:

People don’t want a fancy French restaurant at 30,000 feet; they just want something to eat, and a distraction on a long flight. . . . Economy travelers don’t want to live out some bourgeois fantasy of the 1940s. Give me a damn sandwich or some pasta.

Two more, just read more.

Andrew Smith, cop, on doughnuts:

I think the cop/doughnut thing came around because cops, working late at night, need coffee to stay awake, and the only way to get coffee in the wee morning hours is at the all-night doughnut places. . . . The only thing I would say cops like more are sunflower seeds, based on all the damn seeds I find on the floor of my police car.

Patterson Hood, rock star, on whiskey:

You can go anywhere in the world, it’s always the same. A McDonald’s hamburger may be different in Amsterdam, but the bottle of Jack Daniel’s is exactly the same as the bottle of Jack Daniel’s in Nashville or Singapore.

To read the entire quotes - some are quite funny! - be sure to check out the full feature at Good magazine.

Source

Is Food Network Expanding Into the Magazine World?

YumSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:13:11 -0800

As you may know, I'm not the world's largest Rachael Ray fan. However I do think that her magazine is filled with yummy tidbits - anyone for dulce de leche cheesecake? - and interesting stories.

Recently there have been shake-ups at her magazine, and several editors are supposedly developing a new magazine at Hearst. So what is this new magazine? Well on Friday, Portfolio reported that Hearst is working on a new food magazine in partnership with Food Network.

So even if the brains behind Rachael's mag are coming aboard, will a Food Network magazine work without their stars (both Rachael and Paula Deen have their own magazines)? What do you think? Would you buy a Food Network magazine?

Source

Food Network's Cooking Up a Magazine

YumSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 10:12:39 -0700

In case its around-the-clock food shows aren't enough for you, Food Network has announced it will test-launch a new cooking magazine.

The 160-page debut issue of the aptly titled Food Network Magazine will hit shelves on Oct. 14 with a rather limited distribution of 300,000 copies. In the glossy, television personalities Ina Garten, Paula Deen, Tyler Florence, Alton Brown, and Guy Fieri will offer readers tips, tricks, and recipes not demonstrated on their shows, plus behind-the-scenes looks at the network's sets and kitchens.

Should the periodical prove successful, a follow-up issue is slated for January 2009. Let's just hope the magazine is more creative than its title.

Source

Got the Travel Bug? Check Out Food & Wine's Go Lists

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:23:11 -0700

Every year, Food & Wine magazine puts out their Go List. It's actually a series of lists containing the best places for food-crazed travelers to check out. If you're planning a trip soon - or need an excuse to do so - you should definitely check out their recommendations.

This year, in addition to listing the World's 10 Best Restaurant Cities they've also included lists for the next world superstar chefs, up-and-coming cities, best new restaurants, restaurants for sightseers, and more. If you're planning on being jet set, these lists are a must read. To find out which cities topped their lists, read more.

Food & Wine's Best Restaurant Cities

Tokyo, Japan
Paris, France
New York, United States
London, England
Barcelona, Spain
Sydney, Australia
Madrid, Spain
Chicago, United States
Stockholm, Sweden
Vancouver, Canada

Other noteworthy mentions include Beijing as the top of the restaurant cities to watch list, and although it made the best city list, none of the best new restaurants are in New York.

I don't know about you, but I've definitely got the travel bug! How long do you think it would take to visit all of the travel-worthy recommendations on their Go List?