Urgent: Alabama publishing company threatens Louisiana Kitchen magazine over use of the word Louisiana coupled with the word "Kitchen"

 

Or for that matter, the word "Louisiana" in conjunction with any word or phrase that is similar in meaning to food, cooking, cuisine, chefs, menus, kitchens, etc.

Our Kitchen and Culture, LLC. announced ​Louisiana Kitchen  in November of 2011 and we brought out our first issue in April of 2012. Our editorial mission is clear:

"Provide an intelligent, informed guide into Louisiana’s unique culinary culture and heritage, and the many nationalities, ethnicities and traditions that came together over centuries to shape what is is today."

Typical reader response has been "I've never seen anything like this" and "This makes me want to get in my car and drive to Louisiana to eat and explore."

Unfortunately that mission is in jeopardy. 

After overwhelmingly positive response from our audience to the first two issues of ​Louisiana Kitchen, our right to publish with a Louisiana culinary-themed title is being challenged by an Alabama-based company. 

Not long after the premier issue of Louisiana Kitchen came off press, the Alabama publishing company acquired a completely different publication, Louisiana Cookin‘ — a cooking magazine featuring Louisiana-centric recipes. This new corporate owner is now, several months later, demanding that Louisiana Kitchen change its name. 

Jyl and I have invested not just our life's savings but also our lives into this project. We have immersed ourselves in communities and made friends all around the state; we are passionate about our culinary heritage and history, and the people and stories behind the scenes. Readers and advertisers alike tell us that passion shines through. 

We are committed to providing you, the reader, with a quality product that shows our continuing enthusiasm for not only Louisiana but also the heritage that built this great state. In turn we need your help protecting our right to publish a magazine with a Louisiana culinary-themed name. 

What can you do to help us stand up for ourselves?

1. Without delay, subscribe to the magazine if you’ve not done so already. A portion of subscription money will go toward our mounting legal defense fees, the rest toward continuing to grow the magazine we are so passionate about. You can also give a gift subscription.
    
2. Forward this to friends and family and urge them to subscribe, or purchase subscriptions for them. There is an email link at the bottom of this page.
    
3. Share our “David & Goliath” struggle on your own Facebook pages and other social media outlets. Ask your friends to send the story on to their friends. Ask them to subscribe, or simply purchase a single-copy issue from us—click to order single copy.
    
4. Advertise with us if appropriate; email me for information. 

The upside for you?

You'll receive an outstanding magazine in your mailbox that celebrates the cuisine, heritage, culture, and people who contribute to Louisiana's unique character, and the satisfaction that you helped a small woman-owned business stand-up for its rights. 

Thank you for your caring and support,

 

Susan Ford
President, Our Kitchen & Culture, LLC
Publisher, Louisiana Kitchen

Jyl Benson
Executive Vice President, Our Kitchen & Culture, LLC
Editor in Chief, Louisiana Kitchen

Jyl has 20+ years experience writing about Louisiana for The Times Picayune and national publications such as ​Time​ magazine and ​The New York Times. Susan is a Mississippi native who moved to New Orleans after Katrina to help rebuild, following a 20-year career in publishing. Both of these women know their way around a kitchen.

PS: Our goal is 2,000 new subscribers over the next few weeks. We'll keep you updated on our progress, and provide more information as it becomes available.