What is a foodie really? Is it someone who loves food? It has to be more than that, I’m quite sure that non-food lovers are in the minority, I mean, everybody loves SOME type of food, I’d bet on it. Is it someone who works with food professionally? I suppose it could be, but then aren’t you getting paid, decent incentive to be a foodie. I’ve known several people who work with food professionally who take no interest or pleasure in working with actual food. Maybe it’s a person, who may or may not work with food professionally, who chooses to work/cook/photograph/ponder/write about food and it’s preparation/origin on a non-compensatory basis, they just do it because they love to. I’m good with that, how about you?
Now that we have established what a ‘foodie’ is, what should we call them/ourselves. How should we identify them/us as ‘foodies’ without actually using the word foodie, because apparently ‘foodie’ isn’t good enough or proper? I can understand that, it has a juvenile and unprofessional ring to it. Many ‘foodies’ started out as such and have been able to turn being a ‘foodie’ into a business. So perhaps something more fitting is necessary.
It does seem odd though to have to devise a word or term for a group of people who love food, specifically because I can’t come up with any monikers for people devoted to other interests. Music lovers are ‘musicers’, photography buffs aren’t ‘pictophiles’. Are you saying there are people who consider themselves ‘clownies’? With that in mind, is ‘foodie’ really that bad? Sure, it sounds somewhat childish, but it is still able to convey an idea of who you are and what you love. I feel like trying to define what we call ourselves is blurring the focus of what drives us, the food, recipes, photos and stories associated with all. For all I care, you can call me a ‘sumnabitch’, just as long as I get to spend my days being passionate about food.
I’m a chef, I have been for 25 years, I’m also a ‘foodie’ and I’m not ashamed to say it.
There are 8 comments
I adore this post. If I had to label myself, “foodie” I wear with honor. Thanks!
Yay. I love this post. I get tired of defending the word foodie. Interstingly, I don’t get any hassles about the word wino.
The word foodie is a trend now, and will be current until someone coins the next phrase. I don’t care what you call me, as long as I get to eat delectable food, and photograph beautiful creations. BTW, your flickr sets are amazing! I salivate just looking at them. 😉
I’m a foodie and I’m proud, but I’ve been hearing the word gastronome a lot more as of late.
Foodie is kind of like “hipster”… people love to hate it, and its definition is nebulous, but its useful to evoke a certain idea or set of ideas.
I know what you mean! Somehow ‘daily sustenance appreciator’ doesn’t have the same ring as ‘foodie’. I think it’s interesting that people are just beginning to come to realize how special their food can be. Food literally sustains life, creates communities, tells stories, and inspires creativity and giggles. How cool is that?
I think it’s just fashionable at the moment to hate on the word “foodie” but meh, soon it will be the next thing. Interesting analysis ^_^
I too think “foodie” is just fine. I don’t even think levels of “foodies” is needed. If you love it, like it, photograph it, talk about it, read about it or just plain think about it all the time……you are a foodie.
This is great! I’m so glad to have stumbled upon this post. As a fellow foodie (www.aboldertable.blogspot.com) and as a food tour business owner (Local Table Tours, Boulder), I really appreciate this.
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