'Food & Wine' Magazine Names Nilou Motamed Editor-in-Chief

Today, Food & Wine magazine (published by Time Inc.) announced its new Editor-in-Chief: Nilou Motamed, previously EIC of Condé Nast's recipe-focused website Epicurious.

Motamed replaces longtime EIC Dana Cowin, who stepped down last month to pivot into a new role at the company. Cowin is now Chief Creative Officer for Chefs Club, Food & Wine's restaurant incubator and pop-up concept based in NYC but with plans to expand.

A release explains Motamed "will oversee the editorial operations and content" of the magazine founded in 1978, which now has an audience of "more than 12 million across print, digital, video, books, clubs and newsletters." Like her predecessor, Motamed will work with publisher Christina Grdovic to spearhead the brand's franchises and partnerships, including the company's Best New Chefs awards; Top Chef partnership; Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and the fledgling, millennial-focused website FWx.

Evelyn Webster, Executive Vice President of Time Inc. noted of Motamed in a release, "With her impeccable taste, deep understanding of digital, video, and television and appreciation for working closely with sales and marketing to offer creative solutions to our partners, we expect Food & Wine to flourish and continue its amazing success and growth."

Motamed said in a statement, "I'm thrilled to be joining such a storied and pioneering brand. Food & Wine has been a groundbreaker for nearly 40 years, and its mission has never been more relevant than it is today. I look forward to working with the talented F&W team and building on the brand's remarkable legacy, as we continue to inspire and inform our devoted audience and engage a new generation of food and wine lovers."

Motamed was most recently a consultant for Conrad Hotels & Resorts. She starts the new gig officially on March 14.