Other Magazines

Bon Appétit Shrinks As Food Network Magazine Grows

Gourmet’s final issue has now hit newsstands and mailboxes. In a recent roundup that compared the last issue to its competitors, the Post pointed out that “browsing through the first half of Bon Appétit makes one realize how desperate the food publishing industry is. It’s become all about selling stuff.” But it’s possible that, for all of its selling savvy, Bon Appétit hasn’t been spared Condé Nast’s scythe, either. We’re hearing today (as is Gawker) that there have been cuts at the magazine (a publicity rep is getting back to us with word). But food magazines aren’t dead yet! See, Food Network Magazine has been included on Ad Age’s yearly “A-List” for best magazine launch (NYMag.com, which includes Grub Street, was named website of the year). Hearst executive VP Michael Clinton says the magazine is selling more ads than expected in part because “you can kind of snack your way through it.” Ad Age continues:

The reasons that Food Network Magazine was able to capture readers’ imagination so quickly are many. To begin with, it’s an easy read, free of the leaden prose — rapturous descriptions of Tuscan sporks, omelets likened to mythological deities, etc. — that too often weighs down foodie titles. “A lot of the epicurean books had become like homework,” said Mr. Clinton.

There you have it. Get ready for a future of easy snacking, folks.

Bon Appétit Shrinks As Food Network Magazine Grows