If there is something that has always caught our attention, it is Chowhound. Whether it's its impact on society, its historical relevance, or its influence on popular culture, Chowhound has captured the attention of people around the world. In this article, we will further explore the impact of Chowhound, analyzing its importance in different contexts and offering a unique perspective on this fascinating topic. From its origins to its current impact, Chowhound has left an indelible mark on the world, and we're excited to dive into the complexities and quirks that make it so relevant to so many people. So get ready to delve into the fascinating world of Chowhound and discover everything this theme has to offer.
Type of business | Privately owned |
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Type of site | Online food community |
Founded | 1997 |
Dissolved | March 28, 2022 |
Country of origin | United States |
Owner | Jim Leff and Bob Okumura (1997-2006) CNET Networks (2006-2020) Red Ventures (2020-2022) |
Founder(s) | Jim Leff and Bob Okumura |
Industry | Food and drink |
URL | Official website |
Chowhound (or chowhound.com) was a food website owned by Red Ventures. It ceased operations on March 28, 2022.
Chowhound was a popular online food community founded by jazz trombonist and food writer Jim Leff and Bob Okumura in 1997, known for its user base of food fanatics. Chowhound was formed in a very different cultural era, before Americans had a mainstream interest in seeking out regional delicacies and local favorites. As such, Chowhound served a very particular user base that was seeking delicious, regional and hard to find foods outside of the mainstream culture. It had an early influence in steering America's influence towards regional delicacies, as the future trailblazing food critics Jonathan Gold and Robert Sietsema were early contributors. In 2006, Leff and Okumura sold the site to CNET Networks, which redesigned it and merged it with CHOW magazine, keeping its busy forums, grouped by locale. After CNET was merged into CBS Interactive in 2008, the original chowhound.com domain was restored and CHOW was eliminated. It was bought by Red Ventures, in 2020.
In March, 2022, Red Ventures announced the site would close after 25 years online. Its closure was covered by the New York Times, among other media.
In October 2023, the Chowhound website was put back online, with it now being under the ownership of Static Media.
Penguin USA published two Chowhound restaurant guides, The Chowhound's Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area, and The Chowhound's Guide to the New York Tristate Area.