Pit 17
Delivered to Stack subscribers in
Sep 2026
Each issue of Pit uses a different theme to explore the world of food. In issue 17 the focus is on television, telling stories inspired by the warm comfort of TV dinners at home, and the sickening isolation of screens, and much more besides.
Name
Holly Catford
Job title
Art director
What is Pit?
Pit is a magazine for people who love eating.
What makes it different to the rest?
We’re just about to go into our tenth year. I think what makes us different is the relationship between me and the two other founders (Helen Graves, editor and Robert Billington, head of photography), we make this magazine through the sheer joy we all have working together and you feel that in the pages.
Who makes Pit?
The three founders, but the people who really make it are our contributors. Incredible writers, photographers and illustrators. Every issue is put together from mainly submissions from all around the world. We couldn’t do it without those. The idea that three white British people who live in the South could make a magazine about global food without those (paid) contributions is wild to me!
Who reads it?
Lots of people! The magazine is funded by our subscribers, mainly in the UK because of postage being TERRIBLE. People who love to eat and read!
Why do you work in magazines?
Because I love the form and how you can still delight and surprise your readers. Because I love working with people and putting together a little group of amazing people who compliment each other, making something that none of us could do on our own. Making magazines on your own is pointless and boring.
Aside from the print magazine, what else are you involved in?
Other print magazines! I work on History Today, Eye, and Pulp, and there have been lots of others over the last 14 years of working with Simon Esterson at Esterson Associates.
What would you change about Pit if you could?
I would win the lottery so I could pay people really really well, and buy us a building so we could create a creative food Pit parlour. And so we’d all be able to work together every day and not just when we do an issue. I wouldn’t change anything else.
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