Amid widespread reductions in food media staffing, a new independent publication has emerged in an effort to revitalize in-depth food journalism. Ravenous, an online outlet founded by five former Eater employees, officially launched its first edition in May following a series of layoffs at the website in 2025 and early 2026.
Eater, once a leading destination for food reporting that combined investigative journalism with cultural essays and practical guides, faced multiple rounds of cuts, resulting in the departure of a significant portion of its editorial team. This development reflects a broader trend affecting food coverage across the media landscape. Established brands including America’s Test Kitchen, Food52, Thrillist, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post have scaled back their food-related content amid growing cost pressures and shifting audience priorities.
“Food writing is one of those things that gets hit first, because it’s not seen as necessary,” said Jaya Saxena, one of Ravenous’s cofounders. Saxena noted that the remaining food coverage tends to emphasize easily shareable content such as restaurant maps, lists, and gift guides rather than thoughtful cultural analysis or investigative work. This shift has left many food writers seeking new outlets for more substantive storytelling.
Responding to these challenges, a group of five collaborators — Frances Dumlao, Amy McCarthy, Saxena, Ashok Selvam, and Courtney E. Smith — came together after their layoffs to create a worker-owned publication with a focus on nuanced food culture reporting. The team launched a subscriber drive in April before beginning regular publication the following month.
Ravenous aims to explore the intersection of food with broader social, cultural, and economic issues. Its early coverage has included stories on immigration reform as a factor in reducing food prices, profiles of historic Los Angeles restaurants, the influence of artificial intelligence on food content, and critiques of restaurant digital presence. The publication also recently compiled a list highlighting restaurants owned by private equity firms, noting concerns about the pervasive influence of such investors in the industry.
The founders emphasize that Ravenous is less focused on maximizing profits and more intent on producing thoughtful writing and fostering a community of food media creators. Their initiative aligns with a wider movement of independent media ventures launched by experienced journalists across various fields — from local news to music and gaming — who are seeking alternative models amid industry upheavals.
“This moment is reminiscent of the zine resurgence in the 1990s or the rise of alternative weeklies,” said Saxena, underscoring the founders’ aspirations to revive the internet’s original promise as a space for meaningful connection beyond commercial interests.