Williams-Sonoma Taste Magazine Launches

Posted on October 30, 2000

Williams-Sonoma, Inc., a national specialty retailer, and Weldon Owen Publishing, Inc., a San Francisco-based publishing company, have launched Williams-Sonoma Taste, a new food, entertaining and travel magazine. Beginning with the November 2000 issue, the quarterly publication covers a wide range of subjects including food and entertaining, wine and drinks, restaurants and chefs, gardening and travel. The magazine is sold in Williams-Sonoma stores, on newsstands and by subscription.

The premiere issue of Williams-Sonoma Taste combines lush photography with stories from around the globe including a celebratory dinner with Jean-Georges Vongerichten; a luxurious Ananda resort in India; and feature articles from regular contributors such as Williams-Sonoma founder, Chuck Williams, and authors Deborah Madison and Joyce Goldstein.

The magazine is published independently and does not plan to replicate the Williams-Sonoma catalog or sell products to customers. Williams-Sonoma Taste is custom-published by San Francisco-based Weldon Owen Publishing, Inc. (which has provided a book publishing program for Williams- Sonoma since 1991), and John Brown Publishing, Ltd., a British-based publisher of custom magazines.

Williams-Sonoma founder, Chuck Williams, is involved closely with the magazine as Founder and Editorial Adviser. ``Over the years, we've developed friendships with some of the world's greatest food writers,'' Williams stated. ``I am looking forward to seeing them appear on the pages of this beautiful magazine to let our readers know the best of what's happening in our world.''

``In creating over 100 books for Williams-Sonoma over nearly ten years, we have developed a unique understanding of the company and the value it brings to its customers,'' stated John Owen, CEO of Weldon Owen. ``We are applying that understanding in creating a magazine with the quality of editorial, photography, design and production that customers have come to expect from Williams-Sonoma.''

Editor-in-Chief Andy Harris, who joins the magazine from Vogue Entertaining and Travel in Australia where he was executive editor, leads Williams-Sonoma Taste. Harris has a global reputation as a seasoned travel, food and drink editor for numerous publications including Elle, Vogue, Food Illustrated, Conde Nast Traveler and the Sunday Times.

``My simple aim is to redefine and complement many of the old lifestyle publications of the late 90's,'' stated Harris. ``By offering interesting features on food and drink, travel and entertaining, both within the USA and around the world, I hope to establish Williams-Sonoma Taste as one of the most inspirational magazines on the market.''