Adam Rapoport pictured with Bon Appetit editors and video presenters. Photo / Getty Images
Adam Rapoport pictured with Bon Appetit editors and video presenters. Photo / Getty Images
The editor of popular food magazine Bon Appetit has resigned following allegations about the publication's lack of inclusion and representation.
Adam Rapoport, who helms the Condé Nast publication announced his resignation today following outcries from staff after a photo of the editor in brownface resurfaced, The Huffington Post reports.
The publication is well known for its successful video content on YouTube, where the magazine's writers teach viewers recipes in the "Test Kitchen". The channel has over six million subscribers and its videos have amassed over 1.3 billion views.
Adam Rapoport resigned from his role as Bon Appetit's Editor In Chief. Photo / Getty Images
In a statement on Instagram, Rapoport wrote: "I am stepping down as editor in chief of Bon Appetit to reflect on the work that I need to do as a human being and to allow Bon Appetit to get to a better place."
An image was posted on Twitter showing Rapoport in "brown face" on Halloween in 2013.
"From an extremely ill-conceived Halloween costume 16 years ago to my blind spots and an editor, I've not championed an inclusive vision.
He added: "And ultimately, it's been at the expense of Bon Appetit and its staff, as well as our readers."
Test Kitchen chefs had earlier taken to social media to speak out their experience at the publication.
Sohla El-Waylly, an assistant editor of the publication alleged "only white editors are paid for their video appearances."
Variety reports Condé Nast denied El Waylly's claim.
Sohla El-Waylly's Instagram story called for Rapoport's resignation. Photo / Instagram @sohlae
"I've been pushed in front of video as a display of diversity," she wrote on her Instagram.
El-Waylly also called for Rapoport to resign and some of her colleagues posted their messages of support.
Senior Food Editor Molly Baz wrote: "Please let it be known that I stand with my family @bonappetitmag and do not support the behaviour of our current editor in chief."
She also vowed not to appear in any Bon Appetit videos until BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) received equal pay for their video appearances.
Senior Food Editor Andy Baraghani called the editor's brown face photo "beyond inexcusable," and said he had "no desire" to appear in the magazine's YouTube videos until POC were fairly compensated for their appearances.
Associate editor Christina Chaey wrote that she was "disgusted and humiliated" by Rapoport's actions.
"It is a disgrace to my colleagues of colour who have been doing the real, all-too-often invisible labour."
Haven't tweeted since before Trump was elected. But like so many at @bonappetit who can't be silent right now, I am disgusted and humiliated by my editor-in-chief's actions. It is a disgrace to my colleagues of color who have been doing the real, all-too-often invisible labor. https://t.co/poVXGz6pnh
