America’s Test Kitchen Welcomes Toni Tipton-Martin as Editor in Chief of Cook’s Country

America's Test Kitchen is excited to announce Toni Tipton-Martin as the new editor in chief of Cook’s Country.

Toni is an extraordinary food journalist and award-winning author. (She earned three awards at the 2020 IACP Awards, including Book of the Year for Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African-American Cooking.) She's a story teller. She's a pioneer. She's a leader. We're honored that she's joining our team and are looking forward to having her continue Cook's Country's legacy of telling stories through food when she starts her tenure in November.

There's lots of good stuff to come. In the meantime, here's the press release with more information.

America’s Test Kitchen Names Toni Tipton-Martin Editor in Chief of Cook’s Country

Award-Winning Author and Journalist to Lead One of America’s Most Trusted Multimedia Cooking Brands

BOSTON, September 15, 2020: Today, America’s Test Kitchen named award-winning author and journalist Toni Tipton-Martin editor in chief of Cook’s Country. 

Tipton-Martin is one of the most influential voices in exploring and celebrating the stories of African American cooks and how their recipes have shaped American cooking. She is a two-time James Beard Award winner for her books Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking and The Jemima Code: Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks. She is a contributor to the anthology Southern Women: More Than 100 Stories of Innovators, Artists, and Icons as well as to Edna Lewis: At the Table with an American Original. In addition to leading the magazine team, Tipton-Martin will develop new media projects with a focus on television and podcasts. Her new position takes effect on November 2.

“Over the course of her impressive career, Toni has been telling the story of cooking in America and that’s what Cook’s Country is all about—we see this as a perfect match and an opportunity to continue to grow Cook’s Country in new ways with Toni’s leadership,” said Jack Bishop, Chief Creative Officer of America’s Test Kitchen.

“Toni has been a catalyst for social change by telling stories that need to be told. Her passion and life’s work align with our values and our mission at Cook’s Country and America’s Test Kitchen,” said David Nussbaum, Chairman and CEO of America’s Test Kitchen. “We are deeply honored to have her join the team.”

Tipton-Martin started her career as a journalist. She was the first African American woman to hold the position of food editor at a major daily newspaper, the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Prior to that position, she was the nutrition writer for the Los Angeles Times. Tipton-Martin is a founding member of several food-oriented nonprofit organizations, including the Southern Foodways Alliance, Foodways Texas, and The SANDE Youth Project, a grassroots initiative she started in 2008, dedicated to combating childhood hunger, obesity, and disease by promoting the connection between cultural heritage, cooking, and wellness. She is also a member of the James Beard Awards Committee.

“I have long believed in the power of cooking, food history, and the dialogue around food as a way to reveal who we really are, and bring people together,” said Tipton-Martin. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to leverage my life’s experiences to help elevate Cook’s Country in new ways. America’s Test Kitchen recognizes that stories told by home cooks are a powerful way to explore cultural identity and I’m excited about this unique opportunity to build on Cook’s Country’s commitment to celebrating cooking in America.”

Tipton-Martin replaces current editor Tucker Shaw, who departs America’s Test Kitchen to pursue a full-time writing career. During Shaw’s tenure as editor, Cook’s Country has increased both its print circulation and its digital footprint.

“Tucker has very successfully led the Cook’s Country team since 2014 and we wish him all the best,” said Bishop. “We can’t wait to read his novel!”

Cook’s Country magazine was launched in 2005 and is dedicated to telling the story of cooking in America. The magazine’s print circulation is 280,000, up 10% in the past two years. The Cook’s Country television show is now in its 13th season on public television and is watched by 2 million viewers every week. It is the second highest rated cooking show on public television. (America’s Test Kitchen is number one.)

Want to know more about Toni before she takes the helm of Cook's Country? Check out her website.