Culinary Media Group, a subsidiary of Marquee Brands LLC, has acquired certain assets of Food52, a pioneering food, media, and lifestyle brand. The acquisition unites America’s Test Kitchen (ATK), the leading multi-platform culinary media brand, with Food52, expanding Marquee Brands’ Home and Culinary portfolio, which also includes Martha Stewart, Emeril Lagasse and Sur La Table brands.
Effective immediately, Daniel Suratt will serve as Chief Executive Officer of Food52 while continuing in his current role as CEO of ATK. The acquisition follows Food52’s exit from a court-supervised Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring, supported by Marquee Brands’ provision of new capital via a debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing facility and operational liquidity during the Chapter 11 process.
Founded in 2009 by Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, Food52 started as a digital-first food community focused on cooking and storytelling, bringing home cooks together to exchange recipes and support each other in the kitchen. Today, Food52 continues to inspire a loyal community through its rich library of content, products, and experiences.
Marquee Brands specializes in accelerating timeless brands and expanding their global influence across Home & Culinary, Fashion & Lifestyle, Expressive Luxury, and Active & Outdoor platforms. Its portfolio includes Martha Stewart, Laura Ashley, Sur La Table, Emeril Lagasse, America’s Test Kitchen, BCBGMAXAZRIA, BCBG, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli, Anti Social Social Club, Totes, Isotoner, Destination Maternity, Motherhood, A Pea in the Pod, Stance, Dakine, and Body Glove.
America’s Test Kitchen, founded in 1992, empowers and inspires confidence, community, and creativity in the kitchen through TV shows, a magazine, cookbooks, a podcast, FAST channels, short-form video, and digital subscriptions. Its 15,000-square-foot test kitchen in Boston employs fifty full-time test cooks, editors, and product testers who rigorously develop recipes, equipment, ingredients, and techniques.
Support: Moore & Van Allen PLLC acted as Marquee Brands’ legal advisor for the DIP financing and acquisition. Food52’s financial advisors were Core Advisors LLC and Meru Advisors LLC, with Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP serving as legal counsel.
KEY QUOTE:
“Millions of fans love Food52 and the lifestyle it represents. We will build on Food52’s legacy by leaning into its rich library, bringing back community favorites, and focusing on premium content curated across social, streaming, books and more.”
Daniel Suratt, CEO of Food52 and America’s Test Kitchen
