Great Guide to Food, Entertaining and Dining - Food & Wine Magazine
Written: May 31 '04
Product Rating:
Pros: great recipes, usable entertaining ideas, news and information about the food & dining world
Cons: expensive cover price & subscription price, some stuff is aimed at very affluent readers
The Bottom Line: Food & Wine is worth picking up and for those of us really into food preparation, entertaining and dining a subscription is worth it for a monthly dose of information
For those of us looking for recipes, entertaining ideas and/or news about the dining and wine worlds, Food & Wine magazine is a great read. The magazine provides plenty of different recipes each month, has interesting articles and stories on a multitude of food, entertaining and dining topics and provides information on what is happening in the food and wine worlds.
While the magazine seems to be targeted at affluent readers, many of the ideas and recipes can be applied by anyone. So what if you’re not having a house party with a 100 guests, what you read in the magazine can help you plan that dinner party you’re planning with a few friends.
Basics
Food & Wine is published monthly and costs $4.50 an issue on the newsstand. An eight-issue subscription will cost you $19.92 directly from the publisher. Each issue is about 150 pages long and is almost an equal spread between editorial content and advertising. The advertising tends to lean towards higher end products and services and while there is a lot of it, is tastefully laid out through the magazine and generally doesn’t interrupt the feature stories.
Stories and editorial content generally follow the time of publication – expect to see grilling and picnic type content in the summer months, while indoor entertaining predominates in the winter months.
Contents
Each issue of Food & Wine is made up of two major sections, the Features and the Columns.
Features
This is where you will find the cover stories and other major articles in each issue. In general the articles run around 5 to 7 pages long with few advertising interruptions (though there are some). These articles include both straight-up recipes with some background information to in-depth articles on a certain topic with some side information on recipes. Recent topics in the latest June 2004 issue included stories on healthy grilling, new dining choices at Walt Disney World, vodka and finally recipes for a summer house party. The writing throughout the articles is well done and while most of us probably don’t have the money to say, put in an outdoor kitchen area for grilling, many of the ideas can be translated into something that’s applicable to all of us. And anyway, the recipes can be tried out by anyone.
Columns
The rest of the editorial content of each issue, beyond the Features is included in the Columns section. Here you will find several different topics each issue.
From the Editor and Letters are two columns you expect to find in almost every magazine. They provide a chance for the Editor to discuss the current issue and for readers to comment on past issues.
Flavor of the Month looks at a certain flavor or product and how you can use it in your cooking and entertaining. The most recent Flavor of the Month was lemongrass and the story included different recipes, a quick history of lemongrass and information on how to properly prepare it.
If you’re wondering what kind of wine or other dish should accompany your meal, then you just might find out in Pairings where dishes and their accompaniments are discussed.
News & Notes is a quick round-up of news from throughout the cooking, entertaining, dining and wine world. There’s information on new restaurants, new products, books and more.
Design more your taste, then the Home column provides a quick look at different design styles each issue. How about vacationing? Then you’d probably want to check out Travel which focuses on a different destination in each issue.
Looking to dine out, then you just might find the place you want spend your next evening in Restaurants, which provides a quick review of the best restaurants, generally in a specific area each issue.
Want to learn more about a chef? Master Chef profiles a different chef in each issue and lets you in on a few of their secrets with some wonderful recipes.
Well-being provides a holistic look at food, health and beauty each issue. Topics can range all over each issue and the latest issue includes information and recipes on different rubs that can spice up any meal.
Tired of dull old dinner parties? Take a look at Entertaining, where in ever issue different ideas, tricks or tips are provided on making your entertaining experiences the best that they can be.
Holidays takes a look at the food and entertaining possibilities for the upcoming holidays. For Father’s Day they take a look at grilling and how to pair up beers with those different dishes from the grill.
In each issue, Tastemakers takes a quick look at people who are making a difference or an impact in the food and wine world.
Wine Matters and Wine Guide provide readers with information on the wine world. From resorts and wineries, to which vintages that are the best right now and everything in-between, readers can get their shot of wine information.
Don’t have enough time to prepare elaborate meals that take all day? Then you might find something interesting in Fast, a collection of speedy recipes that generally take 30 minutes or less to prepare.
The Directory is a guide to the products and services that were discussed or used in the issue and finally Last Bite is a mouth watering picture (and accompanying recipe) of a dessert.
How’s it read?
I like this magazine. Even though it seems to be directed towards people much more affluent than I am – there are plenty of recipes for me to try and some really good entertaining ideas along the way. In each issue something peaks my curiosity and I find myself wanting to try new things and new recipes.
Even something as simple as having a few friends over for a summertime barbeque can gain from information in Food & Wine - it’s not only the recipes themselves, but the tips and tricks and accompanying stories that provide a well-rounded look at these activities.
In addition to the recipes and preparation ideas, Food & Wine has plenty of information for those who like to eat out and enjoy themselves. You’ll find out where the best restaurants are, what there is to eat at different vacation destinations and more. The writing is all well done and makes you want to get out there and start enjoying all these places.
Downsides?
I’d almost say that this magazine should be called “Food & Entertaining,” not Food & Wine. There’s a lot more information on recipes, preparation, chefs and restaurants than there is on wine itself. Beyond the two columns each issue, wine itself is rarely discussed, beyond what should be served with a certain meal (which in of itself is helpful). For those looking for a wine education, they should pick up an issue of Wine Spectator.
The cover price and subscription can be pricey – but if you are regularly using the recipes included with each issue or the other information included, it is probably worth it. At the very least – it’s worth picking up an issue here and there throughout the year for anyone interested in cooking, entertaining and dining.
Final Thoughts
An entertaining and useful read, Food & Wine magazine is worth picking up at the newsstand or for those of us really into food preparation, entertaining and dining a subscription is worth it for a monthly dose of information.
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