When I heard rumors earlier this year that Hearst was up to something, developing a new magazine with a ubiquitous cable channel known for its tasty attitude, I was psyched. Months and months and months went by, as will happen when a team of editors is hard at work creating a new magazine. Then last month, I saw it. Food Network Magazine.
This branded glossy is a new launch coming at a time when it’s scary to be in journalism — and I say that as a journalism professional. But Hearst has made a smart move pairing with the Food Network brand. Furthermore, it’s in a sector — food — that is a necessity. You might be able to live without the latest in design, but everyone needs to eat.
Cate and I have had a good chance to leaf through the Premiere Issue of Food Network Magazine. Here’s what we thought:
The GOOD: The cover is eye-catching and shows a colorful twist on an autumn classic: pumpkin pie. Inside, there is a recipe index with thumbnail photos — which is great if you love to eat with your eyes (and find your recipes that way). There are dozens of delicious recipes, many of them already ear-marked for future use in my house.
The BAD: I know this is Food Network Magazine, but I would love to see some content that wasn’t exclusively tied to the shows. This is an opportunity for Food Network to step out of the box and incorporate some of other hot voices in food too. (Ahem, yes, I am available. Cate is too.) I would love to see something targeted specifically to moms too (which is an area where Food Network in general falls short right now).
MONEY MATTERS: Food Network Magazine is $3.99 on the newsstand, and $15 for 10 issues if you subscribe.
The MOM VERDICT
Sarah says: Ever since I first spent a day watching Food Network with a friend several years ago, I have been a junkie. Like everyone, I have my favorites – Ina Garten, Bobby Flay, and Giada DeLaurentiis, to name a few. So, seeing that this magazine not only features tidbits from 24 of Food Network’s stars, but helps you find your favorites with the Star Search index, was a huge boon for me. This is a very visual magazine, which is important when you are dealing with food. Beautiful photos make a huge difference when you are deciding what to make, don’t they? So far, I really like what I see in Food Network Magazine. I would love to see Food Network extend their brand a bit to include other food voices. I would also like to see some mom-geared content (like cooking with children as a regular feature). Nonetheless, this is definitely a magazine I will be reading every month. And for the $15 subscription price, it’s well worth it. You are getting a lot of good recipes for the money.
Cate says: When you see this magazine on newsstands, you can’t help but be drawn in … everything from the crisp, bright, eye-catching cover to the pages within … total eye candy, and then some. Like Sarah, when I first discovered Food Network many moons ago, I became an instant addict. It keeps me company in the kitchen when I’m cooking, and late at night when the house is finally quiet. And now a magazine to complement that? They had me at hello. I do think Food Network (both the channel and the magazine) is missing the boat when it comes to moms and having mom-centered programming and influences, but not so much in that they don’t have things for moms, but more so that a show offering recipe ideas for kids is void at the channel (and conversely in the magazine). But, that being said, Rachael Ray is a good example of one show that has recipes that are a little more kid-friendly than say Alton Brown. Kids aside, I love, love, love the magazine … the content, the layout, and, of course, the subject matter.
