Dining In Dc – Food and Restaurant Blog

Say 'Goodbye' to Gourmet

Foodies all over the world today have been chattering via Twitter, Facebook, and on their blogs about the decision of  the Conde Nast to shut down several of their magazines. Last week, Conde Nast posted a ‘contest’ about which magazine titles should “die” It was  announced this morning that the company has chosen to close down Gourmet, Cookie, and two bridal magazines, Elegant Bride and Modern Bride. Like most publications, they will switch to online media formats. Gourmet magazine will become an online, TV and book publishing brand, with only Bon Appetit continuing to publish as a magazine.

Conde Nast, CEO, Chuck Townsend said, “We have now completed an extensive review of our business – an important undertaking given the dramatic changes in the U.S. economy. The review has led us to a number of decisions designed to navigate the company through the economic downturn and to position us to take advantage of coming opportunities.  Condé Nast’s success comes from the ability of our publications to attract readers with a wide range of interests, as well as advertisers who value them. But in this economic climate it is important to narrow our focus to titles with the greatest prospects for long-term growth. 

As a result of our review, Brides will increase its frequency to monthly to solidify its position as the most important brand in the bridal category, and Modern Bride and Elegant Bride will close.

Gourmet magazine will cease monthly publication, but we will remain committed to the brand, retaining Gourmet’s book publishing and television programming, and Gourmet recipes on Epicurious.com. We will concentrate our publishing activities in the epicurean category on Bon Appétit.

Finally, Cookie magazine will be discontinued, and resources that had been dedicated to its publishing will be invested elsewhere.”

Say Goodbye, Gracie. *sniff* *sniff*

I have gotten this magazine every month for years. Granted I rarely ever got to read it, but I liked it.