Condé Nast plans to announce this morning that it will close Gourmet magazine, a magazine of almost biblical status in the food world; it has been published since December 1940.
In addition to Gourmet… it will also close Cookie, Modern Bride, and Elegant Bride.
9 Comments
Looks like the caviar is all gone, no more two-hour lunches, etc…what’s “their” web-presence like these days? Hmm….?
As an up-and-coming food photographer – I am completely devastated by this mornings news.
I sincerely hope that they rethink this decision after seeing the out pouring of sadness across the food community – even twitter was all a flutter (with Gourmet being a top topic.)
Bon Appetit will not satisfy the craving like Gourmet was able to do.
@CL,
Yeah, I just subscribed to Gourmet a few months ago for the photography. I discovered that having every recipe in the world available online is worthless if you don’t have a killer food shot to get the saliva glands going. Too bad Si couldn’t hang on or wait out the dip.
It is interesting to consider what RR did prior to Gourmet. I think looking back at her history should should have stuck to being a food critic, the lifestyle suits her better. It is a shame that the other mag’s are going under too but that may be the sign of the new times comming. Besides I always like ‘Food & Wine’ better, that how I roll, Sa la vi
Wow, will Conde Nast be the 1st of the big publishers to eat it? Was that article in NY magazine right? Cookie was a great magazine, and apparently the only one of their titles that has had an increase in ad revenue recently. I loved the content. photography and design. Funny how they keep trying to get you to sign up for a 2 year subscription for 40 cents and issue or whatever it is and then they fold. We were getting Domino and then that folded and then they started sending us Cookie instead I think it was (or maybe is was Lucky), so now I wonder what we will get instead. Maybe they should sell subscriptions to “Conde Nast” and they can just send over whatever magazine still exists. I think selling food porn is still valid and popular, but I guess they will focus on Bon Apetite. I just hope they find a way to re-invent themselves before 4 Times square is converted into residential luxury condos.
I’m surprised they didn’t put it up for sale– I know a few other publishing houses that could have made Gourmet profitable. Compare the size Gourmet’s masthead with any of their more successful competitors and you’ll see why they were so sensitive to the drop in revenue.
I know a ton of folks whose ‘someday when I make it big’ jobs just disappeared, though.
Did you see Jon Stewart’s bit on this topic on last night’s (10/6) Daily Show? Kind of funny.
I thought Gourmet really had the best food photography ever. One of my favourite mags.
I think the beauty of what R.R. did at Gourmet was creating a publication that was just as much about creating beautiful food related literature and imagery as it was about chopping and measuring. It was an inspiration and I am so sad to see it go.
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