Recently I have seen a lot of hatred thrown at foodies in articles and through Tweets. Pretty nasty comments and there is a lot of anger going on here. So what is the problem?
I have to wonder if it is because a lot of food knowledge is now out there for the public that did not used to be? I say this because it appears to me that the people most furious at foodies seem to be people who have gone to school for food and work in the food industry. It kind of feels like food snobbery and elitism to me.
Well you know what? Food is for everybody. Deal with it.
For me, I started studying food 15 years ago and have not stopped. No, I did not go to culinary school but I have taken a few classes with chefs. Do I think this makes me a food professional? Not at all! Thanks to health problems, I can not be one even if I wanted to.
Not everyone can go to school and study what they love but there is nothing wrong with learning about food from home. Why does it make you so mad that people in the general public care about food as much as you do? Why is it less honoured because the food is cooked at home instead of an industrial kitchen?
I love that I do not have to go to a fancy restaurant to have delicious food. That I make it myself and eat fantastic dishes and save money by doing so. No, it probably will not be as perfect a meal than a posh restaurant’s but because I can control the fat and salt content, it probably will be healthier.
And please, stop calling us fat. This foodie is health conscious and exercises five days a week. I am not obese and am not obsessed with gluttonous thoughts. I do love food and find it fascinating but it does not run my life. Cooking and baking is fun for me, stop raining on our foodie parade you big bunch of food bullies.
The term foodie means we love and care about food. We are food enthusiasts. Perhaps you have lost the joy you had for food and you are just jealous? Well, get over it and stop taking it out on us.
Do not let the haters get you down my fellow foodies!
Though I have not run across this, I say Amen to you. I do think it is a form of snobbery. I don’t claim to be an educated chef–just someone who likes to cook and eat (and is still a reasonable size )
Very nice post! I absolutely agree! Just because I didn’t study the culinary arts in school doesn’t mean that I should hinder that interest. I think that’s what’s really great about the modern foodie. Each foodie today comes from a different background (be it their culture, profession, economic status, ect.) bringing so much more to the table (literally and figuratively)! The modern foodie seems to be very well rounded. They are smart, articulate, artistic, and eager to relate their food adventures to other aspects of their life!
LONG LIVE THE FOODIE!
Thank you both for your comments, I was a little nervous about this post and your support means a lot to me. Nothing wrong with being a foodie!
People have issues, don’t they? It’s just like the people who aren’t happy with anything less than a $20 bottle of wine but serve them some cheap stuff unknowingly – they can’t tell the difference. I feel bad for people who are wrapped up in labels and surface stuff. Foodie is a good word for people who appreciate the whole value that the food experience brings us!! The planning, the reading, the connecting, the creating – it’s all part of the process! So amen Suzie and thanks for speaking up!!!
I haven’t run across the haters, and I myself have a food blog, so I guess I kind of am a Foodie. But I have been frustrated at some “foodies” in the past.
Have you ever had a so-called Foodie turn up their nose at what you had made for me. I have. Maybe that’s part of the hate-vibe that’s getting started out there?
It’s not fun to host people who are wine snobs, or who have to have every dish a certain way. (Not because of allergies or anything just because this kind of olive is best, or because carrots should “always” have dill. And yes, I have had these comments made in my home by two seperate “foodie” couples.)
Just recently I brought wine and a snack to a potluck group, and the person in charge of pouring drinks looked at my offering and said, “Oh, no amount of breathing is going to help this one.” Then my appetizer was ridiculed by another person for being gluten free. At another party, which I hosted, one of the men loudly disparaged the choice of beer. (Of course, it is hard to find good beer in Denmark, but geez, rude much?)
It’s much nicer when foodies have your approach Suzie — that homemade food, whether simply prepared or elegantly presented, is a gift of love. May you redeem the title of Foodie! 🙂
Wow…talk about malice in that article. He obviously hasn’t done his research in terms of people who self-identify as a “foodie”.
For example, I am a foodie. I enjoy food. I find it comforting to go into the kitchen and spend some quality time creating a dish that not only fills me up, but also looks good, (presentation is a big thing for me) tastes good and is good for me.
I am *not* fat. In fact my family checks in about my BMI regularly because I tend to the low end.
I am *not* a “gourmet”. That word just screams snob. From the linked article: “The gourmet is a chef who doesn’t cook, a wine steward who doesn’t serve.” Well then what good is a gourmet? A consumer who knows all but does nothing but consume.
I relish the hunt for fresh, local foods. Looking beyond the plate on the table, issues like buying local and the debate between organic and non-organic is important.
In fact, I think this is one area where “gourmet” is being left in the dust.
In foodie circles, recipes are shared with an attitude of joy and eagerness, instead of guarded as closely kept secrets. Foodie friends swap recipes, post pictures about their newest experiments and generally create excitement about food and eating among others.
Yes, foodies love to eat, but we know food. We all have different levels of understanding, but we know because we get in and get our hands dirty! The author of the article would merely have to un-blinker himself and take a look at some of the fantastic “foodie” blogs to see this.
To me, a foodie takes pride in things like preparing good food for family and friends, maybe even enjoying [the proper] good glass of wine with their dinner (although some foodies I know don’t drink). They also appreciate the efforts of others, whether in a fancy restaurant with crystal and linens or around a wooden picnic table covered with a tarp. The term “foodie” speaks to me of community, and we can all take pride and pleasure in that.
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I’m not a foodie, in the sense that I’m a decent cook, but I don’t have a lot of time for that “cooking with gusto” I alluded to on your last post. When I do have time, I enjoy it. But I don’t get the hate. And frankly, I wonder how much the hate has to do with foodie-ness (or lack thereof) anyway.
The U.S., at any rate, is becoming increasingly divided over everything from large issues like politics and religion to relatively small issues like food. I think this country is just an angry place, regardless of the subject. I’m not bashing my own country, but the anger is simply depressing. That’s why I’m taking a ‘net break. But I saw your post and wanted to comment to it because the anger you allude to is a large reason for the hiatus (not any specific anger of yours, mind you; just anger in general).
Hope things calm down for you.
I think part of the problem is that people get us mixed up with Gourmets. My favorite definition of a Foodie comes from the FAQ on Ottawa Foodies
http://ottawafoodies.com/about#snobs
Quote: “I heard foodies are snobs. Why should I be one?
No, no, no… you’re thinking of gourmets. They are cold and miserable people who don’t actually enjoy eating most of the time. They also fall asleep during sex. Foodies are happy fun-loving people who savour every meal and spread joy wherever they go. 🙂 As usual, Wikipedia says it best:
“A foodie might easily get caught up in a taco hunt–a search for the best taco stands and trucks in an area. But this would not be an adventure for a gourmet…”
I read the article you linked to and clearly, the author does NOT understand the meaning of “foodie.” I love the definition in bushidoka’s comment — it’s right on! Foodies of the world, unite!
You say it well sistah! I had no idea that Foodies were being mocked, heckled, or looked down upon. What- a Foodie hater? I had no idea!
Now I’m a foodie too. I love food! I love to cook and bake. Like you- I enjoy it! And like you- I love the fact that I can whip my own delights right in my OWN kitchen.
Lots of people enjoy what I make too! And I always tell people- Whoever said Never trust a skinny cook- Doesn’t know ME!
Keep on Cookin/Bakin’!!!
Hugs!
Absolutely right! “Gourmet” often describes an exclusion of others who are deemed too common to understand these high and mighty issues. I would rather be a foodie with a straightforward love of good food.
It seems to me there’s something sacred about the proper preparation, presentation and enjoyment of good food. Something many of our mothers and grandmothers did automatically without worrying about whether some “proper” chef would think them good enough.
I think these people just don’t understand the allure to homemade food. Anyone who would hinder another’s learning instead of fostering it is just what you said- an elitist! That is one thing that bothers me about being here at a culinary school. Everyone here thinks big, while I’m thinking small. I would choose a homemade meal at home over these snobby restaurants any day. I want to offer homemade food to those who can’t cook it themselves, that is why I am here at NECI. I know I would go out of business if everyone could cook for themselves; maybe that’s what those people are afraid of. I also know that it will never happen. There are many people who hate cooking and will always opt to eat out. I love that more and more people are becoming foodies. A love of food is a good thing, we can’t live without it.
Wow..
I never new there was angst over people who like food…