Paper Palate

Cuisine Gourmande is the most upscale cooking magazine of France’s culinary Trio Gourmand, published by the Prisma Presse group. At 63,020 bi-monthly issues, it is the least popular of Prisma’s three cooking titles, representing 20.6% of the “Trio’s” circulation — and only half that if we consider that Cuisine Actuelle and Guide Cuisine come out monthly.

Statistics aside, what sets Cuisine Gourmande apart from its sister publications and, especially, what justifies its higher, yet still reasonable, price? (€3.20 as compared to €1.95 for Cuisine Actuelle, which enjoy the highest circulation rate of the three.)

Huson International Media calls Cuisine Gourmande
“the gourmet magazine for those who enjoy the pleasure of good food and fine eating,” whereas the Gruner + Jahr media group emphasizes that the title “chooses the best wines and lists the cities and restaurants where the master chefs are serving their creations…Readers will find numerous tips and hints on creating the proper atmosphere for a special meal.”

Indeed, Cuisine Gourmande seems to be designed to live on the coffee table as much as in the kitchen, focusing on wine, travel, restaurants and entertaining. Thus in the April-May 2007 issue, readers get advice about planning an elegant family celebration (a springtime tradition in France) and learn how to throw a trendy “tea time” party, including “les British sandwiches!”