What's a foodie?

I hear the term strewn about. I don't consider myself one, but I have been introduced as one by a few of my friends. "This is my foodie friend, seebee." I supposed it's kinda like the drug addict saying "I'm not really an addict" (on some level, anyway.) I'm just a frugal person, in that, I don't believe in overpaying for mediocre food that a lot of restaurants sling out. If I can make the same meal at home, BETTER, for 1/3rd of the price, I'm not impressed at all. There are times when I'm happy as a clam to pay up for stuff when I don't wanna cook, but otoh, I really enjoy cooking, so I'm a pretty harsh critic when it comes to restaurants that sling out overpriced stuff that I can do better. I tend to gravitate towards places that do ethnic foods that I haven't yet mastered on my own, or down home diners that actually make their food well, instead of nuking packages, and do so at a fair price.

Oh, and another thing, food and alcohol facts stick in my mind like I'm some kinda "Rain Man." If only my stupid brain could have worked like that for medical terms, or physics - something more useful (monetarily, that is.)

Anyone have any thoughts on what the term "foodie" actually means to them?

I believe it originally referred (somewhat derogatorily) to people who flocked after the latest food find (like a food groupie), but it has come to mean anyone who is really into food. If you know more than the average person, actually get excited when you see the cookbook section in the book store, and love trying new stuff, you're probably a foodie.

Technically, I think Cynthia is right on.

Personally, I think "foodie" is a generic B.S. term, used because people inherently like to categorize people for various reasons...to tell you apart from others, supply people they're introducing you to with an instant topic of convo, etc. That way someone you just met could say, "Oh, you're a 'foodie'? Have you been to this new place in my neighborhood? We went last week, and it was great, I had the...." If it's said without an eye roll or any sort of "tone", I generally just gloss over it with a slightly-bored chuckle.

It's funny though, no one says "this is my friend Dave, the foreign-filmie", "this is Joanne, the sportie", or "Meet John - he's a stampie". People certainly don't say "I'd like you to meet Mike, my druggie friend" or "have you met my friend Melissa the boozie?" Actually, I'm not sure I'd mind being introduced as a "boozie"

Once while chatting with a few coworkers about restaurants we'd been to recently, one of of them said (with quite a bit of "tone") something along the lines of "you're quite the 'foodie', aren't you?" My response was, "no, I just don't like to pay for crap"

Khaopaat wrote:Technically, I think Cynthia is right on.

Personally, I think "foodie" is a generic B.S. term, used because people inherently like to categorize people for various reasons...to tell you apart from others, supply people they're introducing you to with an instant topic of convo, etc. That way someone you just met could say, "Oh, you're a 'foodie'? Have you been to this new place in my neighborhood? We went last week, and it was great, I had the...." If it's said without an eye roll or any sort of "tone", I generally just gloss over it with a slightly-bored chuckle.

It's funny though, no one says "this is my friend Dave, the foreign-filmie", "this is Joanne, the sportie", or "Meet John - he's a stampie". People certainly don't say "I'd like you to meet Mike, my druggie friend" or "have you met my friend Melissa the boozie?" Actually, I'm not sure I'd mind being introduced as a "boozie"

Once while chatting with a few coworkers about restaurants we'd been to recently, one of of them said (with quite a bit of "tone") something along the lines of "you're quite the 'foodie', aren't you?" My response was, "no, I just don't like to pay for crap"

I also think there are different levels of "Foodies" as well. I wouldn't consider myself to be as much of a foodie as Cathy2 or G Wiv, and some of the other "Heavy hitters" here, but I'm more of one than the average home cook. I do look at the cook book section of a book store, I do have All-Clad cookware, Global knives, and more cook books than any other category of book.

To me, the "ie" ending is disparaging, as in "yuppie." For me the word carries an implication that the person so labelled may know a great deal, but is focused on fashions and trends and brands in the food/dining category more than on knowledge and pleasure wherever they may be found.

Yet I'm well aware that many people use the term purely neutrally. For the most part, folks who don't cook much, or keep tabs on what's happening in the restaurant world, seem to use foodie simply to mean someone actively interested in food, cooking, dining out, etc. Someone to go to for a quick dining recommendation, or explanation of an ingredient or preparation.

So, I consider the source, and tailor my response accordingly. Meanwhile, I almost never use the term at all myself.

Fundamentally, it seems a poor impulse to regard an interest in one of the main areas of life as oddball enough to require a tag. Knowing macrame or jiu-jitsu or Sanskrit, that's a curiosity. Knowing at least a little about food, music, art, history, literature, world events, etc., on at least a Time magazine in the 50s middlebrow level, strikes me as the bare minimum for walking around the planet as something higher than a cow.

Basically the world comes down to two kinds of people:

Speidi Are On Alinea's No-Fly List
We heard from 312DD who heard from someone who knows that Spencer and Heidi from The Hills try to waltz into Alinea without a reservation one night. At which point the gruesome twosome "were promptly turned away in hilarious fashion (considering no one there had any idea who they were) and when they finally came back (having made a reso like everyone else that time) they lived up to every concievable horror one might dream them to embody." Zing! [312Dining Diva]

Those who read the above (from MenuPages) and can't believe that Alinea didn't know who Spencer and Heidi from The Hills are, and those who can't believe that Spencer and Heidi, whoever they are, didn't know what Alinea was. (They apparently bailed after three courses or something, completely baffled.) If you belong to the former group, I don't want to know you.

Mike G wrote: Knowing at least a little about food, music, art, history, literature, world events, etc., on at least a Time magazine in the 50s middlebrow level, strikes me as the bare minimum for walking around the planet as something higher than a cow.

Mike G, whoever you are, wherever you are, please know that you honestly made someone laugh at loud today. I think I may have even peed a lil' bit.

I've always thought of it as nothing more than slang for a gourmet or epicure. I'd prefer to be called the f-word. Being called a gourmet or epicure sounds snooty if you ask me.

The first I've heard of anyone having strong objections to the word comes from this rather influential blogger. I'm sure that a lot of people neutral about the word read that post and walked away thinking, "foodie = not cool."

Mike G wrote:Basically the world comes down to two kinds of people:

Those who read the above (from MenuPages) and can't believe that Alinea didn't know who Spencer and Heidi from The Hills are, and those who can't believe that Spencer and Heidi, whoever they are, didn't know what Alinea was. (They apparently bailed after three courses or something, completely baffled.) If you belong to the former group, I don't want to know you.

Well, I had absolutely no idea who Spencer and Heidi were, or that there was something called The Hills, so I felt compelled to Google it -- and I'm sorry I did. A little depressing to think such trash exists. It almost makes soap operas look like literature.

Given the choice (or, rather, the choice I've already made), I'd much rather know about Alinea than have whatever passes for fame with people like that. So sad.

Mike G wrote:Basically the world comes down to two kinds of people:

Speidi Are On Alinea's No-Fly List
We heard from 312DD who heard from someone who knows that Spencer and Heidi from The Hills try to waltz into Alinea without a reservation one night. At which point the gruesome twosome "were promptly turned away in hilarious fashion (considering no one there had any idea who they were) and when they finally came back (having made a reso like everyone else that time) they lived up to every concievable horror one might dream them to embody." Zing! [312Dining Diva]

Those who read the above (from MenuPages) and can't believe that Alinea didn't know who Spencer and Heidi from The Hills are, and those who can't believe that Spencer and Heidi, whoever they are, didn't know what Alinea was. (They apparently bailed after three courses or something, completely baffled.) If you belong to the former group, I don't want to know you.

This is hilarious. This should probably go in the Guilty Pleasures thread, but I do enjoy the occasional celebrity gossip...and these two (and everyone else related in any way to MTV's brainless & awful reality show offerings) make me cringe. However, I am a fan of some of TMZ's nicknames for them: "Douchebeard and The Chin", "these two boneheads", etc.

That Alinea enforced its reservation policy to these two useless D-listers makes me love the place even more. I'm surprised they made a reservation & stuck around, rather than scurrying back to LA where their "celebrity" stands a chance of getting them seated at see-and-be-seen restaurants & past the velvet rope at whatever happens to be the club of the moment.

Being called a foodie has never been a problem for me, because I always thought that it meant that I liked to eat -- which I do. No pretensions. No specialized knowledge. No connections to "the people in the know". Just a guy with a big appetite.

In my simple mind, if you find yourself starting conversations with phrases like "On the way to lunch, let's stop for a couple of hot dogs", then you're a foodie -- and loving it.

Cynthia wrote:Well, I had absolutely no idea who Spencer and Heidi were, or that there was something called The Hills, so I felt compelled to Google it -- and I'm sorry I did. A little depressing to think such trash exists. It almost makes soap operas look like literature.

Aha. But you do know Mrs. Blagojevich, yes? Same sphere of fame, and now, getting paid $100 grand each to eat tarantulas together. I love the way our world works.

I am a foodie. I'm also a Trekkie (forget the 'Trekker' crap). In World of Warcraft, I'm a newbie ("n00b"). I run an early music foundation and subscribe to Early Music America magazine, and with other early musicians am called an "earlie." Any of my realms of nerd-dom certainly deserve any ridiculous dimunitive ending you want to apply to them - doesn't bother me in the slightest.

My favorite since last October: daddy.

Santander wrote:I am a foodie. I'm also a Trekkie (forget the 'Trekker' crap).

I too am an avid Trekkie ! I don't mind any of those monikers because I’ve been called a Geek for so long that the other names don’t bother me. In fact, a friend of mine came up with EL Geek-O Supreme-O……I guess it has something to do with the fact that I have 15 computers in a small 3 bedroom town house.

Khaopaat wrote:

Mike G wrote:Basically the world comes down to two kinds of people:

Speidi Are On Alinea's No-Fly List
We heard from 312DD who heard from someone who knows that Spencer and Heidi from The Hills try to waltz into Alinea without a reservation one night. At which point the gruesome twosome "were promptly turned away in hilarious fashion (considering no one there had any idea who they were) and when they finally came back (having made a reso like everyone else that time) they lived up to every concievable horror one might dream them to embody." Zing! [312Dining Diva]

Those who read the above (from MenuPages) and can't believe that Alinea didn't know who Spencer and Heidi from The Hills are, and those who can't believe that Spencer and Heidi, whoever they are, didn't know what Alinea was. (They apparently bailed after three courses or something, completely baffled.) If you belong to the former group, I don't want to know you.

This is hilarious. This should probably go in the Guilty Pleasures thread, but I do enjoy the occasional celebrity gossip...and these two (and everyone else related in any way to MTV's brainless & awful reality show offerings) make me cringe. However, I am a fan of some of TMZ's nicknames for them: "Douchebeard and The Chin", "these two boneheads", etc.

That Alinea enforced its reservation policy to these two useless D-listers makes me love the place even more. I'm surprised they made a reservation & stuck around, rather than scurrying back to LA where their "celebrity" stands a chance of getting them seated at see-and-be-seen restaurants & past the velvet rope at whatever happens to be the club of the moment.

I think it's worth noting that even stuff you read in respected newspapers often contains exaggeration, insinuation, and sometimes outright lies. Certainly one should take menupage blogs about dining diva blogs that report what someone's friend said that someone else said with a gigantic grain of salt. I'd put the likelihood that the incident happened as reported here at about 10%.

Santander wrote:
My favorite since last October: daddy.

Awww. So you're approaching your first Father's Day, eh? Cool.

seebee wrote: Anyone have any thoughts on what the term "foodie" actually means to them?

It is the difference between people who eat to live, and those who live to eat.

I am a foodie for sure.


Edited to add:

I think a term like foodie is only derogatory if the intent is to deride. Otherwise I think it is simply descriptive of someone who values and appreciates good food. My personal definition of good food is pretty basic ; food that takes time to make, food that doesn't come out of a package, and food that is cooked with care and respect.

First, I can't stand the term and don't want to be referred to as one. I've never been one that seeks groups or labels (not saying that anyone here does either) so I generally retract when someone throws this word around. That being said, I think the reference can now range from the sophisticated gourmet/home "chef" to the food trend seeker, hip to both the restaurant scene and general food celebrity culture (ie Food Network personalities, Top Chef stuff, etc.). I've been called a "food snob," so I don't know what's worse.

If I would allow myself to think the term is not intended to be derogatory, I would like to think that the person labeling one a "foodie" is referring to the interest one takes in certain aspects of enjoying food - including the growing, the breeding, the preparation, care of, and ultimately consumption of high quality ingredients, dishes and meals. This would also cover the equipment, tools, methodologies, and techniques used as well as the commercial, cultural and historical aspects of food.

There's nothing wrong with seeking out high quality ingredients and having the perspective to truly understand how they can come together in a creative, even artistic display of skill. And then, in turn, wanting to preserve and archive the methodologies and techniques for future generations - because, simply - it's worth it.

tyrus wrote:There's nothing wrong with seeking out high quality ingredients and having the perspective to truly understand how they can come together in a creative, even artistic display of skill. And then, in turn, wanting to preserve and archive the methodologies and techniques for future generations - because, simply - it's worth it.

How about "purest foodie"?

I struggle with this "term of art" as well. Usually, when it is said I think it is supposed to be nice and I just jump in w/ my standard response:" No, not a foodie, but a food lover."

Foodie makes me think of a "food snob" & that I only touch organic vegetables harvested by C. Trotter. Food Lover let's me enjoy the world from blueberry rhubarb pie & rhubarb custard pie(@ the same time) @ a friend's in rural WI, boiled peanuts or waffles made by me, C. Trotter, Old Fashioned Donuts, & my beloved Brown Sack. It has nothing to do with money.

The biggest draw back to loving food is the realization that there is an awful lot of luster-free food out there.

MikeW665 wrote:

tyrus wrote:There's nothing wrong with seeking out high quality ingredients and having the perspective to truly understand how they can come together in a creative, even artistic display of skill. And then, in turn, wanting to preserve and archive the methodologies and techniques for future generations - because, simply - it's worth it.

How about "purest foodie"?

Yeah, after I re-read my post, I realized I just supported everyone that ever called me a "foodie." It's funny when you actually type what you're thinking. BTW, I like the "purest" part as I believe that the simple things tend to be the best...

jimwdavis wrote:In my simple mind, if you find yourself starting conversations with phrases like "On the way to lunch, let's stop for a couple of hot dogs", then you're a foodie -- and loving it.

Can I nominate this for the LTH tagline or is it too long? LOL!

My only objection to the term is that, like so many other recently-invented words, it's been rapidly and comically overused to the point of total uselessness. When "foodie" simply means you can name three cuts of steak, tell the difference between kosher salt and sea salt or understand that Thai food comes from Thailand rather than Taiwan, it's probably time to put it to bed.

When "foodie" simply means you can name three cuts of steak, tell the difference between kosher salt and sea salt or understand that Thai food comes from Thailand rather than Taiwan, it's probably time to put it to bed.

I think this is a reasonable suggestion for anyone who comes to this and similar forums for any reason other than by mistake. But there's a large world out there that not only cannot tell the difference between sea and kosher salt, but that considers "convenience" and "eating-out" to be synonymous, the microwave to be the primary if not unique cooking tool, and with more cardboard in their freezers than meat. For them, anyone who reads a restaurant review or a recipe is a "foodie," and since there are currently (I believe) more of them than there are of us, I think "foodie" is a term we're going to have to live with for awhile.

Perhaps a more interesting question is "Why are you a foodie"? That is, what differentiates those who live to eat from those who eat to live. There has been much research on the genetic basis of quantity, less so on why people are driven to the best foods or certain foods. In discussing this with other "foodies", often there is an event, a defining moment, which created a strong enough impression to affect eating behavior for the rest of their lives. But how good are we really at explaining why we do what we do?

Sorry if I have detoured this thread.

Bill/SFNM

foodie is just a label I see tossed around. it is what it is.

I live to eat, and do not consider myself a foodie, I prefer grubseeker.

In the realm of all things I can be/have been called - food snob, culinarian, "chef" - I find foodie to be the least offensive and most approachable.

Yes, I agree it's a little corny and it is a label, but it also reminds me not to take food and cooking too seriously and to enjoy the experiences.

jimswside wrote:foodie is just a label I see tossed around. it is what it is.

I live to eat, and do not consider myself a foodie.

I fall in line with this point of view.

To me, food has been fetishized (is that a word?) and can often be overanalyzed whether it is by "professional" critics or by bloggers with four people following them.

Some of the writing out there is great. Simply put, it is good writing or journalism regardless of the subject. Mike Sula and his "farm to table" article comes to mind. In other situations, I am cringing due to the elitist nature of the writing or the overinflated sense of knowledge on display.

However, we all have different perspectives so what works for me may not work for you. Less judment and more moaning, not groaning, at the table. That is...if the service is perfect.

Whenever this subject comes up, I always think of the skit "Our Dinner at Troy's" on the Tracey Ullman Show. IDK, sometimes I use the term as a shortcut - my relationship with food is pretty complex (I've also been called a "gourmet" which I don't think is accurate, either, but is another shortcut for people who aren't here.)

Mhays wrote: IDK, sometimes I use the term as a shortcut - my relationship with food is pretty complex (I've also been called a "gourmet" which I don't think is accurate, either, but is another shortcut for people who aren't here.)

Exactly -- it's an easy way of saying something about my preferences, but without sounding self-important (someone else might call me a gourmet, and some have, but I wouldn't say it about myself). But more than that, even, I feel that being called a gourmet is more limiting; it sounds like I only eat French food. But I like everything from foie gras to grits, and even eating strange things that are tied to a local culture makes me happy. And I like learning about food, and food history, and food and culture. So I refer to myself a foodie all the time, if someone new asks about my interests, and don't think of it as being any stranger than, say, calling an Australian an Aussie.

The term that I hear thrown around quite often by some of my friends and work partners is 'fussy little bitch,' as in "Ronnie won't eat that -- he's a fussy little bitch." Frankly, I can live with that.

=R=