The Globe Pequot Publishing Group has acquired Lake Isle Press, an independent book publisher founded in 1990 by Hiroko Kiiffner and Jane Ross that publishes "trailblazing books for adventurous cooks." Lake Isle titles will be sold and distributed by Simon & Schuster, Globe Pequot's distribution partner.
Among its early titles, Lake Isle partnered with James Beard Award-winning cookbook author Jim Fobel to publish the paperback edition of Jim Fobel's Old-Fashioned Baking Book. Following Jane Ross's departure in the late 1990s, Hiroko Kiiffner published the first of nine Lake Isle Press books by Rachael Ray, including the bestselling 30-Minute Meals in 1998 and Comfort Foods in 2000.
As international chefs like Pierre Thiam, Jose Garces, and Vikas Khanna joined the Lake Isle roster, the publisher noted that it "honed its focus on exploring ethnic cuisines with authentic recipes from culinary experts. Today our catalogue incorporates a range of cookbooks that celebrate the art of cooking from varying global perspectives."
"Lake Isle's acclaimed cookbooks--known for showcasing diverse culinary traditions--are a natural complement to the strong food and cooking list we've built at Lyons Press and Globe Pequot," said Globe Pequot president Bob Marsh. "The acquisition reflects our continued commitment to expanding in these key categories."
Lake Isle president Hiroko Kiiffner commented: "I'm delighted that Lake Isle has found a home with Globe Pequot. I've known Globe Pequot owner Jed Lyons for more 30 years, ever since we became a client of NBN. Our long-standing partnership through distribution and back-office collaboration makes this a natural fit."