food magazines

Take a look at the front of Bon Appétit's May issue, the first to drop under the helm of new Editor in Chief Adam Rapoport. Although the design's slightly updated, the cover — a minimalist plate of pasta al pomodoro — doesn't look like anything too drastic. In a sit-down with WWD, the former GQ editor admitted that the first issue is "not going to change too much" but did share some of what he has in store. The new focus? Solid, tested recipes, classic cooking techniques, and beautiful photography, with a relevance for the present: "We need to tap into popular culture and have a buzziness." The magazine, which hopes to draw more readers in from the food blogs, will not focus on chefs as celebrities, but rather take chef techniques and adapt them for the home cook.

Edgier headlines include "How to drink like an Italian" and "The real baconator." The issue has an excerpt of Prune restaurant owner Gabrielle Hamilton's book, a first look at David Chang's iPad app, and a cooking feature with the style-setting Missoni family. Also new: a back-page feature that asks a celebrity a food-related question that must be answered on a cocktail napkin. Rapoport didn't confirm or deny rumors that Gwyneth Paltrow will be on the cover of the June issue.

What changes would you like to see in the new Bon Appétit?

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We asked you what food magazine topped your must-read list this year, and we have a winner!

A big congrats to Food Network Magazine, our 2010 champ with 29 percent of the votes! The Food Network's glossy has come a long way since debuting in 2008. The mag features some of our favorite chefs and a variety of tasty, creative recipes like antipasto skewers, the Singapore sling, and samoa tartlets.

We want to recognize runners-up Bon Appétit and Food & Wine for also having a great year. And don't forget to check out all our Best of 2010 coverage!

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?

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?