What is a "foodie"?

[Undead Molly]

On another thread some folks were discussing whether or not the word "foodie" is snobbish, villainous, or cool. I thought maybe I'd make a new topic of it?

What is a foodie? Do you consider yourself a foodie? Here's some of the Wikipedia entry:

Foodie is an informal term for a particular class of aficionado of food and drink. The word was coined in 1981 by Paul Levy and Ann Barr, who used it in the title of their 1984 book The Official Foodie Handbook.

Distinguished from gourmet

Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, foodies differ from gourmets in that gourmets are epicures of refined taste who may or may not be professionals in the food industry, whereas foodies are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news. Gourmets simply want to eat the best food, whereas foodies want to learn everything about food, both the best and the ordinary, and about the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food. For this reason, foodies are sometimes viewed as obsessively interested in all things culinary. There is also a general feeling in the culinary industry that the term gourmet is outdated.

I don't know if I am a foodie. I have a lot of culinary knowledge but can't afford to apply it in the novel ways that many foodies do. I can't afford magazines, cable, dining out, or stores like Healthy Living. I have only a few cookbooks and mainly just use my trusty Best Recipe. Sometimes I think that being poor has made me a much better cook because I have to really perfect my techniques and recipes and truly maximize every element of every dish instead of relying on expensive novelty like some self-proclaimed "foodies" I have known.

I've known people who would spend crazy money on stuff like imported fresh truffles or Cypress Mediterranean Black Lava salt, yet they don't even know how to properly dice onions or make a roux. They've got every gadget offered by Sur la Table, but have no idea how to simply sharpen or maintain a knife.

So am I not a foodie because I can't participate in the commercial culture of it? Because I'm also not a gourmand - I have never worked in the food industry. I just love food truly and deeply the way I love art and fashion and friends and Vermont and everything else that makes up the fabric of my life.

[dtp123]

The most common way of using the term foodie I've seen is when having a conversation with someone they hold up their fingers and make air quotes while saying "foodie" describing, "people who would spend crazy money on stuff like imported fresh truffles or Cypress Mediterranean Black Lava salt, yet they don't even know how to properly dice onions or make a roux. They've got every gadget offered by Sur la Table, but have no idea how to simply sharpen or maintain a knife". They mean it as more of an insult than anything else. I wouldn't worry about whether or not to call yourself a foodie. It sounds like you are a good cook. 

[tonyo]

Personally, I dislike the term "foodie" based on the attempt at "Cutesiness".  I also can't stand when vegetables are called "veggies", extra virgin olive oil is called "evoo", the terms "to die for" , "like crack", or "chocoholic" are used.  To me, if you are passionate about food, you are passionate about food, no title or nickname needed.  Additionally, I think there are a lot of "chefs" out there that feel the more ingredients they put in a dish the better and more creative it is.  I couldn't disagree more.  The goal of a chef should be to get the fruit/vegetable/fish/meat etc. from it's natural state to the plate as quickly as possible with minimal adulteration.  I once had a dish at a local restaurant that had no fewer than 10 ingredients.  The flavors clashed to a point of being on the border of inedible.  The featured item was scallops.  A simple sear salt/pepper and maybe a puree in some for and there you have it.  Don't stack my food 10" high with a pine branch sticking out of the top so it resembles something Carmen Miranda would wear on her head.  I have always thought if you have fresh lemons, fresh herbs, garlic, good olive oil, butter, and salt & pepper that you could cook almost anything in a way that would be delicious.  I still believe that.  If that makes me a "foodie" so be it, just don't call me it to my face or I might crown you with a 14" cast iron pan................

[slaphappiest]

I knew that I was opening up a can of worms when I posted on the "Heroes and Villains" with foodie as a villain.  Ehh, but I did it anyways.

While, yes, we all eat and most find some enjoyment in doing so I find that "foodie" is a combination of trendy with an extra dose of cuteness and a soupcon of eating disorder.   Foodie implies consumption, not cooking.  Been there, ate that.  The three pound burger and ticking off the chefs eaten, oddities and quantities consumed. 

For me cooking and feeding those that I love, and a few strangers that happen by, is the most human act I can think of.  Or primal act for that matter, the bugs and birds fight me for the sweetest raspberries every summer. 

tonyo said " I have always thought if you have fresh lemons, fresh herbs, garlic, good olive oil, butter, and salt & pepper that you could cook almost anything in a way that would be delicious."

The operative words here are "good" "fresh" and "delicious" with "simple" hiding behind the curtain.  The best meal I've probably had was a loaf of bread fresh from the oven, a handful of olives and chunk of cheese (o.k. it was Morbier) after a day of hard labor.  I won my love's heart with steamed vegetables, rice and some homemade pickles (asian not dill.)

A foodie is just a glutton with fashion sense and a unused kitchen.

[Morganna]

A foodie is just a glutton with fashion sense and a unused kitchen.

See, now I find this insulting. *shrug* To each his own, I guess.

[JasonFrishman]

Now, I get worried anytime any label is used to either create an in-crowd or an out-group.

so, while 'foodie' may have had good intentions and humble beginnings, I do feel like it has moved the way of slight snobbery.  that being said, i've probably used the term to describe myself in the past.  I don't like it though. 

a few years back, I was trying to find another term that would be inclusive, describe a love of food, accessibility and reflect what tonyo and others have said regarding simple cooking designed to highlight the natural features of the ingredients used.  I also wanted to add some aspect describing the way that groups of people without as many resources from cultures all over the world have been able to create tasty, nutritious food with less. Often, these are the groups who were fermenting, making broth, and pushing culinary creativity - out of necessity.  Lastly, i wanted to have a word that described my love of eating together and the routine/ritual of food cultivation/preparation/eatingclean-up.  For awhile, i was calling the style of my own cooking, "GOURMET PEASANT FOOD". and then a friend suggested that adding the word gourmet to peasant sounds not only snobby, but sort of silly.  I don't know if i agree with the silly part; but i'm adaptable.  I guess it is most accurate to say that i cook 'peasant food.' 

saying that, it makes sense to me.  there isn't really a need to have a label, "Foodie", "gourmand", etc.  i can just describe what i do and leave it at that.

so,out the window with foodie for me.
glad i've worked that out in this post. thanks.