LCBO Food & Drink Magazine - Holiday Edition 2012

[Breadcrumbs]

Has anyone seen this yet? I heard it was supposed to be out on Nov 7th but so far, I haven't seen it anywhere.

[Breadcrumbs]

Royal Bank Plaza LCBO - they were unloading boxes of them tonight.

[MargieEv]

Noticed loads of them in the Uxbridge LCBO. The one when you come into town near Cdn Tire, Wal Mart, Zehrs etc.

[katyenka]

How does the issue look? Any must-make recipes?

[badrockandroll]

The alarm sounded here caused me to panic - I went to two LCBOs which didn't have the mag. I ended up making a purchase at the third, and the cashier surreptitiously asked me if I wanted a holiday magazine with my purchase - she had a box of them under her counter! i'm just breezing through it now, and so far, it's not knocking my socks off compared to last year.

[gembellina]

I quite liked the feature on dessert and beer pairings, and might do one of them for a dinner next week. Some of the nut and cocktail pairings looked ok but not super-exciting. I was hoping for some inspriring recipes for nibbles. The Indian-themed stuff didn't sound good at all.

[gooditsall]

I might not call it a must-make but I tried the Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe and it was very nice. So far, no desire to try any others in a hurry.

My pet peeve about this magazine is that they don't publish any nutritional information about their recipes. I have written to them and suggested a couple of easy ways they could do this as a service to their readers but they are massively uninterested. So you just have to figure them out for yourself.

[Flexitarian]

Geez aside from the obvious reasons for that info, you would think that fact they are owned by the Province of Ontario, who fund our health care, would be interested.

[lister]

As of Friday noon, lots at King & Spadina LCBO.

[terrycar]

Also at Overlea Blvd, in the mall with the Food Basics.

[estufarian]

I checked that a week ago and they didn't have any - maybe there's beeen a general re-stocking.

[dubchild]

I was in at the Manulife store and they had boxes of them. They were out of them earlier in the week, so it looks like there has been a re-stocking.

[Breadcrumbs]

Hah! Maybe the LCBO reads Chowhound!! ; - )

[dubchild]

I'm sorry to say I doubt the LCBO is on top of much

[Dean Tudor]

Yes, the Lickbo is only on top of revenue generation....

[Panda3035]

There were still stacks @ Eglinton and Yonge. I got mine around 1pm today

[Crepes Suzette]

About an hour ago, there were a dozen or so left on the rack at the York Mills and Leslie location, (next to Longos). I asked if they had more, and the cashier said no, that was it.

[gttahaveit]

I was just at the Yonge/Wellesley store and they had boxes and boxes full!

[Breadcrumbs]

Success!! Thanks to everyone for sharing your magazine sightings. I got the very last copy from the display at the LCBO beside the St Lawrence Market. It was touch and go as the couple ahead of me took two copies and were contemplating a third but thankfully (and likely because they saw me there looking anxious) they left the last one behind. This definitely is a hefty book and I'm keen to look through it. Thanks once again!

[rstuart]

Phew! Good thing. I just remembered that I usually send one to my brother for his Christmas stocking (the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission is no doubt a fine institution, but does not publish anything quite like it). I'd better get him one!
I also read it for the recipes.. and I have seen some products there (in the articles, not the ads) that I have bought..

[Breadcrumbs]

Funny you mention this rstuart. When I visit other provinces and time permitting, I check to see if their provincial store has a similar publication. If memory serves, I believe it was the one from Quebec that impressed me most thus far.

[rstuart]

Something to keep in mind the next time I'm in Montreal!

[lagatta]

The SAQ's main publication is CELLIER. I checked - the English publication has the same name as the French. According to the www.saq.com website, you can browse the entire issue, either the French or the English version.

I actually prefer the LCBO one, though.

[the_beezelet]

just picked up ours at coxwell and o'connor - lots there!

[midtowngirl]

I picked one up at Coxwell & Queen last night, but it was the last one on the rack and unfortunately there was no one around to ask if they had more tucked away somewhere. I haven't cracked it open yet, but it is a huge issue as others have noted.

[jamie]

As of last night, there were still several boxes worth of magazines at the Atrium on Bay location.

[lister]

Still lots there as of Wednesday afternoon.

[magpiebakes]

Got one from there today at lunch...they had them scattered on the table.

[rstuart]

Wow.. I wouldn't have expected that. That's close to my work; I will have to pop by at lunch tomorrow to get an extra for my brother..

[tochowchick]

Next issue will be out Jan 16/13.

[kmbar]

Roncesvalles still has a few boxes.

[cynalan]

Although I love the photography and production values of the magazine, I do enjoy trying many of the recipes. Please note that if you cannot obtain a copy of the magazine, recipes are posted online at the \lcbo site.

[Dean Tudor]

The posted recipes are about four months after the printed issue, so that's about it for Christmas.

I use F&D as a receipt for the taxes I've paid..

[Tatai]

Just curious as to what you all love about the LCBO's Food & Drink magazine. Is it the photography? The recipes? The editorial content? The advertising? The fact that it's "free"?

[ylsf]

The single stick of free gum... "dessert" flavoured....

In general the magazine has good production values, good photography, highlights some interesting products, heck I even do like looking at advertising from time to time :) It is hard to catch everything that is available in an LCBO so it gives me a chance to catch something I didn't know about.

[dubchild]

My partner does the baking and she swears by the success rate with these recipes. It seems they have good recipe testers.

[julesrules]

Yup it's free food porn. I like the photos and occasionally there is a very good article.
I also can't understand why they've become so scarce. It's been years since I've gotten one. I can't get used to the idea of of chasing them down when they used to be plentiful. I mean they ran out eventually but my drinking habits were enough to get me at least some issues.
Should we email advertisers to point out the scarcity issue? Pick one to target every issue?
Can anyone tell me the release date for the next issue? TIA

[Flexitarian]

I have to admit that I pick it up mainly to look at the pretty pictures. It's hard to resist not picking up such a thick glossy FREE magazine with high production values (often with some interesting inserts) from an institution that I am a part owner of as a result of being a taxpayer in Ontario.

I can't remember ever having bought anything advertised in it because I saw it there or having tried a recipe (but given the good results people are reporting from recipes in there I just might).

[jayt90]

There is a school of thought concerning F&D that the many beverage ads don't matter, they are purchased to ensure listings and shelf space. Or to put it another way, the high production values are subsidized by companies who feel threatened by the LCBO's sheer control of alcohol, and fear being left out.

[Breadcrumbs]

I've been picking these magazines up for years now and the primary draw for me is the recipes. I've made quite a number of them and I don't recall ever having anything but success. For anyone interested many of the recipes from issues/years past are on the LCBO website. I particularly appreciate the wine pairing information which is expectedly reliable.

Aside from the recipes, I do love the aesthetics of the publication. Beautiful photography, high quality glossy paper and no nasty cardboard inserts. There's usually a section of music recommendations and I've discovered some new artists or albums over the years as a result of reading reviews here. I also enjoy features that focus on Canadian chefs and restaurants.

Oddly enough, I don't ever recall being inspired to buy wine or liquor as a result of advertising...

[Big_Shooter_28]

I love the Food and Drink, but isn't this a little ridiculous for what is basically an advertising flyer. Why didn't they print more of them?

I imagine that most of the products featured (not advertised, but featured) in the magazine would have to pay a promotional fee to be featured. I would be a little pissed to pay this and not have the magazine available to everyone.

[Breadcrumbs]

I find it frustrating as well B_S_28. No doubt our tax dollars and advertising pay for this. I actually think we should be able to subscribe to it just like we can fwith the Vintages publications. When I spoke to the folks @ FCP they said they always get cleaned out right away as it's their most popular publication. So, to your point, why not print more/enough to go around?!! Sheesh!

[taterbrandy]

Your tax dollars are not supporting F & D.

[estufarian]

Then who is paying for it?
All net revenues from LCBO go to Province.
All costs reduce net revenue!

[Flexitarian]

The revenue from the magazine exceeds its cost by $400,000 per annum. So, the profit is $400,000 which goes to the Province of Ontario.

If the magazine was not produced then the revenue to the province would be $400,000 lower.

So, the cost does not reduce net revenue as profits increase revenue!

[estufarian]

I didn't know that - is that info 'generally' available?
My original info came from a former contributor who dropped out when they reduced remuneration to contributors - so maybe that's how they turned it around.

[Flexitarian]

It is generally known that the magazine is profitable but I honestly can't remember where I read the actual profit figure but it was a few days ago.

[Flexitarian]

Apparently F&D magazine generates $400,000 profit per year for the LCBO as they charge for advertising. I just picked up a couple at 5pm at the Bloor & Yonge location, just east of the subway entrance underground.

[Breadcrumbs]

Well that's very good news on both counts Flexitarian. Thank-you!

[terrycar]

I got one there last night right at closing time & they still had a few boxes left.

[principessa del pisello]

I usually have good luck at the Spadina/Baldwin location when the other downtown stores have run out.

[Breadcrumbs]

So, none @ FCP or Royal Bank Plaza in Toronto. Evidently they were cleaned out immediately.

[00CP]

Yonge/Bloor LC has a bunch

[Breadcrumbs]

Thanks 00CP & principessa - I may have to venture here on Sunday if we don't find one at the wine show.

[terrycar]

I went to Queen's Quay last night & they were all gone. The guy said they went during the first week.

[iamafoodie]

Last night in Mississauga the Meadowvale store had none, but the much smaller Streetsville store had lots. Try a lower volume store in your area.

[rstuart]

Got mine last week at College and Euclid.. hasn't checked back since though..

[rstuart]

Yes.. they seemed to have quite a few left! Odd. I usually go to the one near work (at the Atrium on Bay), and it always gets cleaned out with a day or so!

[panko]

Cloverdale mall was out of stock on Saturday. There were a few boxes at the Queensway Islington location.

[foodie_guru]

I picked mine up in Georgetown on Nov. 7. Funny, the display stand was empty of them - I asked and received some lame excuse that there were more in the back, but I would have to come back tomorrow. Nope. I used to do some part-time work at that LCBO years back and have not missed a Food and Drink since they were bilingual (eons ago). I insisted I get one! Brampton also had them last week. You have to get them quick as they do disappear fast. Incidently, the editor's note indicates this is "their biggest issue yet".

[lagatta]

Each copy is no longer bilingual; however, the publication exists in English and in French. As our SAQ (Québec equivalent) publication exists in French and English. Usually I could find a French-language one left when I was in Ottawa.

[hungryabbey]

I got it at the Royal winter fair but that wont help you unfortunately. Definitely seek it out, its an excellent edition!

[Breadcrumbs]

Good to know though hungryabbey, I'll be at the Wine Show this weekend, perhaps the LCBO will have some there....(fingers crossed!)

[jayt90]

Lots of them west of London.