WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN US, LUCKY PEACH?

Lucky Peach — the food quarterly spearheaded by Momofuku founder and chef David Chang — will likely shutter in May, Eater reports. Staff were notified “on Monday afternoon that their employment would end in May,” after the Summer 2017 Suburbs issue is released, Eater learned. “Peter Meehan couldn’t be reached for comment. Chang tells Eater that he’s keeping all options open but couldn’t elaborate further.”

McSweeney’s first published the indie-magazine in the summer of 2011. It’s now run by Chang and editor/cofounder Meehan. The journal was initially intended to be a “deconstructed, non-linear television show,” delivered via iPad app with an accompanying print journal. As early fans will remember, the app didn’t materialize, but the television component became the first season of The Mind of a Chef on PBS and the print piece became Lucky Peach.

The quarterly has featured some of the food world’s biggest names — including Ruth Reichl, Anthony Bourdain and Naomi Duguid — when it kicked off its first issue with an in-depth look at ramen. Each subsequent instalment has also centred on a single theme: breakfast (issue 17), the seashore (issue 12), and street food (issue 10) were all given the Lucky Peach treatment.

Known for its bold design, striking illustrations, essays, interviews and long-form stories, Lucky Peach has been recognized by both the James Beard Foundation Awards and the National Magazine Awards in the U.S. The first issue is still sought after — be prepared to spend more than US$100 on eBay if you’re looking to complete your collection.