Gourmet, as loyal readers are painfully aware, is no more, but much-beloved former Gourmet editor Ruth Reichl is likely heading to a silver screen near you. According to the LA Times blog Daily Dish, Reichl's third memoir Garlic and Sapphires may hit the screen sometime this year: (more...)

audio It's been three months since Conde Nast announced it was shuttering the much-beloved Gourmet and it's probably safe to say that both fans and foodies alike are still reeling somewhat from the decision. Equally beloved Gourmet editor Ruth Reichl (if you're not following her on Twitter you're missing out) guested on NPR's Leonard Lopate show yesterday to talk about Gourmet's demise, the immediate aftermath (they had to be out of the office almost immediately), and what the future looks like. She also discusses her initial reaction to David Foster Wallace's famous 'Consider the Lobster' essay (she was scared to open her mail). All things considered, Reichl sounds rather sanguine about the decision and still supportive of Conde Nast's other projects. Also, rest assured Gourmet's collection of cookbooks covering the last 70 years, remains intact. (more...)

One supposes that at the end of the day someone should be benefiting from the shuttering-heard-round-the-food-world that was the folding of Gourmet earlier this month. Turns out that someone is the other (arguably less passionately loved) Condé foodie magazine Bon Appetit. This from today's WWD:

When Gourmet closed, its readers received sister publication Bon Appétit to fulfill what was left of their Gourmet subscriptions. In January, Bon Appétit will use that sub file to help boost its rate base 15 percent, to 1.5 million from 1.3 million. The increase still puts it behind its more mass competitors Cooking Light, which has a rate base of 1.75 million, and Every Day With Rachael Ray, which carries a 1.7 million circulation guarantee.

Regardless of the practical money decisions that went into the shuttering of Gourmet earlier this month the loss of Ruth Reichl is a hard blow to the magazine world. Someone quick give this woman a Web enterprise to run! Doesn't Eater need a super-duper, extra-special, featured, guest columnist or something. (more...)

The Monday morning Gourmet quarterbacking continues a full week after Condé Nast decided to shutter the much-loved foodie mag along with three others. Now that the initial dust has settled from the first round and the much of the magazine world is waiting for the second shoe to drop, a number of folks are taking a peak behind the curtain at the wizard himself. It ain't pretty. (more...)

Gourmet is not going quietly into that good night. When Condé Nast shuttered Domino last year there was a audible outcry from some corners but nothing compared to the expressions of shock and dismay that have followed the demise of Gourmet this past Monday. Condé is hitting people where it really hurts: they have closed the New Yorker of food magazines! After years of being the sacred cow of the magazine world, Condé, it seems, has is one fell swoop demonstrated actually nothing is sacred. (more...)

Devoted fans of Gourmet were shocked and heartbroken over Monday's announcement that Condé Nast would be shuttering the magazine effective immediately (and we do mean immediately! Employees had to clear the office by the end of the day). They weren't the only ones. A quick glance at Gourmet editor Ruth Reichl's recent twitters drive home how much of a painful surprise the decision was to both her and her staff. (more...)

"Although the privately held Condé Nast isn't as financially distressed as the bankrupt General Motors, and although the magazine business couldn't be more unlike the car business, the two distraught companies share woes.

Both succeeded in segmenting the market with semi-independent divisions that were once unique and distinct but that have since faded into one, much to the confusion of consumers. Both have dramatically dumped once-valuable properties. Both have allowed divisions to operate like independent fiefdoms at the expense of the company's greater financial good. Both have established cultures of privilege for top employees, and both appear to have woken up to their problems too late."

speculation Today was not a good day at Conde Nast. It looks like upwards of 200 people will lose their jobs as a result of the shuttering of Gourmet, Cookie, Modern Bride, and Elegant Bride. The New York Observer reports that Pilar Guzmán, editor of Cookie and wife to Wired Media publisher Chris Mitchell, is out and that there may be a publisher shake-up over the next few days to make room for Nancy Berger Cardone, the publisher of Gourmet, and Carolyn Kremins, the publisher of Cookie, who "are both valued internally." (more...)