Things have been rocky inside Martha Stewart's corporate kingdom recently.
On Wednesday, chief executive Lisa Gersh stepped down after less than a year on the job. The rise of digital news and the fall of print advertising has put a crimp on Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia profits. A couple of magazines are on the market. The proposal to open Martha Stewart minishops in JCPenney stores stalled because of a challenge by Macy's, which sells Stewart merchandise.
But to me, the worst news, the tidbit that really shakes me, is buried deep in a story from the Associated Press.
Everyday Food will be no more.
The clever, purse-sized road map to reasonable cooking will cease publication in the next couple of months.
I am bummed. I love that little magazine.
The magazine came on the scene in 2003, about 18 months before Stewart went to prison for lying to the feds about a stock trade. Interestingly, the cover didn't carry her name prominently. The magazine also launched a PBS show, featuring cool, calm and collected magazine editors showing us how to make the world's best mac-n-cheese and brine a turkey.
Everyday Food is the polar opposite of the lush Martha Stewart Living, which gave rise to glue guns and guilt trips. Directions on how to make a sugar-spun croque-en-bouche cozied up with blueprints on Tyrolean gingerbread cottages. Pretty to look at, but to actually pull off? No way.
So along comes this magazine, Reader's Digest size with real-people recipes, complete with Martha's stamp of approval. It had hallmark Martha food photography and sophistication but with a full reality check about busy schedules. Quick weeknight meals, vegetarian feasts and tips galore on everything from equipment to ingredients.
I'll miss my cooking friend, but darn if I don't have months' worth stacked alongside my cookbooks. Good tips and doable recipes last forever.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this story.
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