Publication: Serviette
Topic(s): Food writing, food culture, agriculture, culinary history, science of food, war & peace through food systems, reported features, essays, photo essays, Q&As, comics, infographics
Rate: $1 per word

Serviette is commissioning fresh, original storytelling around food in its widest sense: not just recipes, but the systems, politics, conflict, ecology, and culture behind what we eat. The upcoming Issue 09 is built around the theme “Food is War, Food is Peace,” pushing writers to interrogate how food becomes both a weapon and a bridge across societies.

The editorial team is already assembling a strong lineup, including a reported feature on basmati rice’s contested global journey, a visual essay on falconry used to control invasive bird populations, and a conversation with Buddhist chef Jeongkwan Snim. New pitches are expected to complement and challenge this direction with equally sharp angles.

They are open to reported features, personal essays, profiles, Q&As, infographics, illustrated work, comics, and experimental formats. The emphasis is on strong reporting, cultural insight, and original access to subjects tied to food systems, identity, and history.

Important: submissions must be fully human-made. Any use of AI-generated writing at any stage will lead to rejection.

Pitches should be concise (one to two paragraphs), clearly outlining the idea, angle, narrative approach, and potential sources. First-time contributors should also include a brief introduction and relevant publication history or writing samples.