by Kevin Weeks
Member since:
November 9, 2005

Spot-On: Reading Periodically

September 23, 2008 06:24 PM EDT
views: 72 | comments: 18

I just renewed my subscription to Cook's Illustrated, my favorite cooking magazine. For years and years before the World Wide Web and before cookbooks had become one of the largest categories in book stores I subscribed to Gourmet and Bon Appetit, because those magazines were the best bets for a varied collection of recipes. In those days the first step I took in planning a dinner party was to sit in the middle of the living room floor with all my back issues and a note pad and go through every issue - often multiple times - putting together a menu.

Read the complete article at SpotOn.

 

Kevin Weeks is a Gather food correspondent (Paisano), personal chef, cooking teacher, and writer in Knoxville, Tennessee who spends too many hours on his feet, cooking. "Paisano" is a column focused on peasant dishes from around the world. To read more of Kevin's writings or connect to him click here. His blog,Seriously Good, is read by 100,000 cooks a month and in addition he writes a weekly column forSpot-Onand is the Guide for Cooking for Two at About.com.

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Comments: 18

J. P. Sep 23, 2008, 6:29pm EDT
I'm vying for the Art Food magazine subcriptions, but can't get it so far.
Jackie L. Sep 23, 2008, 6:40pm EDT
Saveur is my favorite. Well, it's the only one I read. In fact, I have a whole post about it. Better publish it!

You're always making me publish stuff. Damn you, Kevin Weeks!
Dorine H. Sep 23, 2008, 6:59pm EDT
I love CI and Saveur, and subscribed to Gourmet for years. I enjoy reading about distant restaurants. I've cooked a good bit from Gourmet. Somebody once gave me a ift of Cooking Light. Yawn. No wonder they charge in advance--otherwise nobody would bother!
Kevin Weeks Sep 23, 2008, 7:04pm EDT
Jackie,
Too late, your idle hands are my plaything.

Dorine,
I only enjoy reading about restaurants I might visit within the foreseeable future.

And I've had some good recipes passed on to me from CL, the the name alone is enough to keep me ambivalent about it.
Jackie L. Sep 23, 2008, 7:05pm EDT
True, true.
Kevin Weeks Sep 23, 2008, 8:15pm EDT
Jackie,
When you're the embodiment of all evil it's just work, work,work, work, work. I tried to get away for a long weekend in Carmel with this cute little demon from the seventh level. But of course we had an outbreak of beatitude in, of all places, Brighton Beach and I had to cut it short.
Jackie L. Sep 23, 2008, 9:02pm EDT
Ug, I hate when that happens! You shoulda stuck to our child-free treehouse, you shameless cheater.
Jackie L. Sep 23, 2008, 9:12pm EDT
I want you to know that right now I'm eating leftover Kraft macaroni and cheese, because somehow it is your fault.
Kevin Weeks Sep 23, 2008, 9:47pm EDT
Jackie, or as your name is recorded in my great book, Jackie,

Kraft Mac-n-cheese is the product of my archrival, Wall Street.
Jackie L. Sep 23, 2008, 9:53pm EDT
Wall Street and Evil are separate entities? Huh.
Prima Donna Sep 23, 2008, 9:55pm EDT
I love that magazine. I've been thinking about subscribing. Every once in a while a free one comes in the mail.
Sonia M. Sep 23, 2008, 10:06pm EDT
I still get Bon Appetit and Gourmet, but have cancelled my subscriptions....I love Cook's Illustrated.

I'm also getting several of the Edible magazines and I love them ALL!
Madame Donna C. Sep 23, 2008, 10:37pm EDT
I can't read enough. I read it all, crave it all, can't get enough. I have too many books and mags. No body is allowed to light a match in my house! Nice job, Kevin.
Heidianna "Coriander" T. Sep 24, 2008, 10:03am EDT
Very interesting! It's truly amazing how cookbooks have become so popular in x many years.
Richard Frisbie Sep 24, 2008, 11:54am EDT
I read about the restaurants in all those magazines because I want to learn how to write about restaurants, not necessarily go to them. Then I read about the distant locales because I know I'll go there someday. It's enjoyable and it's research. I learn from all the magazines - (I no longer subscribe to Cooking Light) and enjoy Cooks Illustrated along with the others.
Kevin Weeks Sep 26, 2008, 6:44pm EDT
Jackie,
Separate but equal.

Prima,
I know folks who don't like it. Most of them think they know more than the magazine can teach them.

Sonia,
I don't subscribe to the Edible mags, but then I've never seen one, either.

Cori,
Yes.

Richard,
We all want your job - bastard.
Sandra T. Oct 5, 2008, 12:27pm EDT
Thanks for posting this to Gather Recipe Review! I wish I had TIME to throw dinner parties! I would subscribe to cooking magazines then!
Karen G. Nov 11, 2008, 3:31pm EST
I read gourmet sometimes

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