What does it mean to treat food as art? For Bon Appétit, it means more than aesthetic plating or a perfectly crisp croissant on your feed. It's a deeper recognition of the visual culture, artistic intention, and emotional storytelling that underpin how we cook, eat, and experience food. That philosophy is the driving force behind the magazine's first-ever Art & Design issue, a vibrant, visually rich edition that sharply focuses on the often-overlooked connections between culinary culture and the creative industries. "As a brand, Bon Appétit aims to illustrate how food shapes culture and society," says editor-in-chief Jamila Robinson. "It's not only essential for life, but it's a creative expression." That thinking permeates every page of the special issue, from recipes riffing on iconic paintings to cutlery designed with sculptural ambition. The magazine has always been known for its sharp visuals and stylish sensibility, but this issue turns the dial up to eleven, and the cover alone is a striking signal of intent. Commissioned by French-based Argentine artist Matías Larraín, it's a bold, poster-like work that distils the spirit of the edition: colour-forward, culture-rich, and unabashedly design-minded. "His vibrant palette and distinctive aesthetic resonated with our brand's creative direction," explains Creative Director Caroline Newton, adding that his fascination with food as subject matter made him a natural choice for the project. Inside, the magazine takes readers on a multisensory journey across disciplines, from still lifes and museum-inspired meals to flatware that's equal parts sculpture and utensil and a digital cover that nods to Wayne Thiebaud's saccharine 1979 Cake Slice. There are also restaurant features that spotlight spaces like Clemente Bar in Manhattan and Central in Lima, where dining and visual storytelling go hand in hand. When it came to curating the content, Newton says the ideas came thick and fast. "When the theme was announced, our creative team was flooded with ideas," she recalls. "We refined our concepts, seeking a balance of diverse visual and cultural references that explore the intersections of art, design, and food." The result is a publication that feels both eclectic and intentional – not just a celebration of beautiful things but an invitation to look at the everyday through a more creative lens. It's also a showcase of Bon Appétit's own talent. "This issue is an important showcase for our extraordinarily talented creative department who make our dishes look so beautiful," says Jamila. From the editorial team to the test kitchen, there's a sense of creative cross-pollination behind each feature. Take A Bite at the Museum, a centrepiece story that brings together diverse contributors to reimagine food through fine art, flexing a different creative muscle in the process. Food, after all, is a medium most of us use every day. "Food is the art form we all participate in," Jamila writes in the issue's foreword – a mantra that underpins the editorial direction. Whether it's the way colour impacts our cravings or how food photography has evolved in the social media age, the magazine explores the role of visual culture in shaping what and how we eat. "Social media is simply a continuum, a modern means of communicating our relationship with food," Jamila reflects. "Humans have chronicled what we eat from the beginning, whether that's a cave painting, a still life, or a TikTok." Beyond the magazine, the edition also highlights a growing shift in hospitality spaces, from gallery-like interiors to artist collaborations that blur the boundaries between form, function, and flavour. "The visual storytelling in restaurants often gives you a sense of place," says Jamila. "It can convey the relationship the chefs have with these other art forms and helps open people to other kinds of expression." That immersive quality and the idea that food can tell stories beyond the plate is echoed throughout the issue. There's also a sense of fun underpinning it all. "We are not in the business of being bored," laughs Caroline when asked how chefs and creatives are using artistic processes in their work. Whether sketching, sculpting, or throwing a dinner party inspired by personal heritage, the magazine revels in food's ability to inspire and surprise. With its first Art & Design issue, Bon Appétit positions itself not just as a food publication but as a curator of culture that champions creativity in its many edible forms. "I hope readers are inspired to take note of the artist who drew the doodles on their apron," says Jamila. "I hope they gaze at the mural that is outside their favourite taco spot. Or pick up their phone and share a picture of their favourite dish – or something they cooked that turned out beautifully – with the rest of us." If there's one takeaway from this issue, it's that food isn't just something we consume. It's something we create. And sometimes, it belongs on a coffee table just as much as on a dinner plate. #feast #eyes #bon #appétit039s #first