American Express Publishing has entered an unusual partnership with Time Inc.’s book arm to distribute Food & Wine-branded books. It’s the first-ever partnership between the two companies.

According to the agreement, Time Inc. Home Entertainment will distribute American Express Publishing's Food & Wine Annual Cookbook, Food & Wine Best of the Best: The Best Recipes from the Best 25 Cookbooks of the Year, Food & Wine Cocktails 2009, and the Food & Wine Wine Guide 2010.

“Time Inc. Home Entertainment has a strong and solid record for publishing books in addition to special magazines and calendars for titles at Time Inc. as well as for clients outside Time Inc.,” an American Express Publishing spokesperson wrote in an e-mail to FOLIO:.

According to the spokesperson, American Express Publishing and Time Inc. have a management services agreement that enables American Express Publishing to benefit from Times Inc.'s publishing expertise, resources and relationships.