The foodie world let out a collective gasp this morning.
Gourmet magazine is closing.
The culinary prose powerhouse is the latest casualty of the economy, and just one of several Conde Nast publications to fold.
The Associated Press' Food Editor J.M. Hirsch, penned the following obituary:
After nearly 70 years of fine eating, the lavish meal known as Gourmet magazine is over.Conde Nast blamed the tough economic climate Monday when it told its staff it was closing the stalwart of the food media world, long considered the dean of culinary publishing.
"It's the center of gravity, a major planet that's just disappearing," said chef and author Anthony Bourdain, who said Gourmet was the first food publication to give him a chance as a writer. "There's been a lot of speculation about this happening, but I'm still stunned."
Conde Nast also said it was shuttering Modern Bride, Elegant Bride and Cookie, a parenting magazine. Earlier in the year it ceased publication of Portfolio, a business magazine, and Domino, a homes title. Sister Conde Nast publication Bon Appetit survived the cuts, and will likely absorb many of Gourmet's readers.
There was nothing quite like curling up on the coach on a Saturday morning with a hot cup of coffee and poring through the magazine, dreaming about what dinner could be rather than would be.
I will miss Gourmet's writing and inspiration greatly. Best of luck to those writers, editors, designers and other staff who made eating that much more pleasurable for all of us.
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