To think it’s wanky to describe oneself as a foodie?

[RosieGuacamosie]

I mean I imagine 95% of the population like eating, and I imagine at least 85% like trying different foods.

What elevates a person to being a “foodie”?

Loves eating? Frozen food served less than twice per week? Sprinkle some FRESH basil on one’s pasta?

I think it's quite wanky, I also imagine anyone who describes themselves as a "foodie" does that fart-wafting motion with their hand to smell their food before they eat it.

Isn't it a bit like saying your hobby is breathing air, or sleeping at night? Everybody likes food.

I think some people use it to try and create a personality. Like "food is so important to me". Erm it's important to all humans to facilitate us living.

It could be worse my frien is an epicurean

People I know who are foodies would never describe themselves as such, they would say they like cooking, and talk enthusiastically about recipe books and restaurants.
The few people I’ve known who do describe themselves as foodies are more likely to actually be quite fussy eaters who I think are trying to overcompensate for their particular food issues.

What horrible sneery gits there are on here. What does it matter to you in the slightest?

I love food, and regularly try new recipes, bake etc. But I wouldn't consider myself a "foodie". I have friends that are though - they save up to try different Michelin star restaurants for example. As a PP has said, their interest in food goes beyond the norm. I don't think it's wanky, just a way to describe a deeper interest in food. Mind you, what would you call someone with an interest in wines? Wine-y? Wino? I really like puddings, but wouldn't say I am "puddingie". wanders off track

If I decided to make a chateaubriand and triple beef fat cooked chips with peppercorn cream sauce every night

But a foodie won't do that. They enjoy their food - they don't see it as fuel or comfort or a means to stave off hunger. They'll probably eat better food, and less of it.

I get real pleasure from food. Not sure I'd call myself a foodie but I am a bit of a wine buff. Guess that makes me double wanky....

YANBU... it's the term I hate, not the people who brand themselves with it as some kind of badge of superiority. I imagine they need a badge...?

Food is just food.

I think your %'s are rubbish, overinflated. Not that many people are really interested in food, that much. Many people are vaguely interested. Most people, don't want to try things.

I love food. Would eat Michelin regularly given the choice. I think it's rarer than you think. And no I'd never ever call myself a foodie, because that's pretentious and twatty.

Food is just food

It really isn't.

I menu plan weeks in advance sometimes as there are just so many things I want to eat. I actually wish I was like this. I just have no imagination when it comes to food and find food mostly quite boring. I feel bad that I don’t cook better meals for my DC but I honestly can’t even think up exciting things to cook, let alone follow through with it.
I’ve eaten at some very nice restaurants but honestly and shamefully I rarely enjoy savoury food and just go through the motions for the sake of the wine and the puddings both of which I do enjoy.

I guess it's the difference between "eat to live / food is fuel" and "live to eat"

Or the difference between cycling to work and going on a cycling holiday

Even if you are someone for whom food and cooking is a hobby more than a necessity, to describe yourself as a foodie is just sad in my opinion. What's wrong with saying you enjoy cooking?

Good God! The things we have to worry about these days.

I'm a self confessed foodie. I'm very fussy and only like decent raw ingredients. I shop everywhere (before covid) to get the best ingredients. Lidl, Waitrose, independent delis, local farm shops.

To me being a foodie means you are enthusiastic about getting every bit of flavour from your ingredients. Its about sourcing decent ingredients especially local ones and to have fun putting together new ideas and recipes. Its also about enjoying food and reducing your carbon footprint with careful purchases.

So I'd say It's not just about enjoying cooking or even being a good cook it's a lot more.

Interesting that so many people think being a foodie is a class thing.

I mean, it is a bit, but I’d say it’s deeply middle class to be a foodie. Most of the upper class people I know were brought up on boarding school food and literally see it as fuel. They get no enjoyment from it whatsoever!

@Sparklesocks

I have a friend I’d consider a ‘foodie’. I like my food but the difference is she actively has food as an interest - she seeks out international supermarkets to get niche ingredients for cooking, subscribes to newsletters and food blogs/food instagrams, saves up cash to do things like pasta making or butchery classes or those fancy dinners where you get 25 courses, plans all her holidays around the food, travels somewhat long distances to certain cafes/restaurants to try certain dishes she’s heard a lot of buzz about, tries anything and everything at least once.

But she’s not wanky about it, she loves a Big Mac or a jam sandwich as much as she loves whatever obscure dish she’s tracked down in a small takeaway in north London. It’s just that she enjoys food in a way that it’s a hobby. I guess there’s a difference between foodies in that sense, and just outright food snobs.

I think that's fine. And I think it's also fair enough that you describe her as a bit of a foodie.

But, I agree, anytime I've heard someone say it about themselves they are a pretentious wanker and I cringe.

It's one of those things that I feel it's ok to describe someone else as, but when they assign it to themselves they sound smug, self-congratulatory and in this case, sneering at people who they do not consider to be "foodies".

I can actually remember the first time I heard somebody describe themselves as this. We were out for dinner, a group of us, and in the context of discussing the food / restaurant she declared herself a foodie. I immediately thought "wanker".

@flamingomingeo

I have always thought anyone who self-identifies as a ‘foodie’ is an absolute arsehole.

And I think the extremity of your view is a clear example of the growing polarisation of our society. There's real venom, there!

Arsehole? Really? Someone who takes an active interest in food?

What do you call someone who parks across your drive in a disabled bay?? 🤔

@FullofCurryandparatha

Food is just food

It really isn't.

It is to me. I eat decent quality food, not too much (except Wotsits)... it's just food. Socialising doesn't need food. Eating breakfast/lunch/dinner is just food.

Seeing it as anything else is your prerogative, it doesn't make you right. But I will forgive you for arguing just as long as you're not one of those people who makes loud and annoying noises of enjoyment. Just eat the bloody thing.

I don't think 'foodie' is a class thing other than that those who proclaim themselves to be foodies are generally quite likely to refer to themselves as a 'class' also - and are over-interested in affiliating themselves to others who they deem worthy.

I think it's the label that's annoying, not that people enjoy their food. We have to eat so it's best that we do enjoy it. Bit like work really, have a job you love and you never have to work a day in your life...

Seeing it as anything else is your prerogative, it doesn't make you right

It's not about my indivdual opinion, or yours. Objectively, food is not just food. If it was, it wouldn't have such cultural importance, or be such a massive industry. There wouldn't be michelin stars and food programmes and celebrity chefs and cooking shows.
And food wouldn't be tied to so many human rituals and events, as it has been since literally the dawn of humanity.

Sorry, but no, its not a matter of opinion. You're simply wrong. As a species, food is not just food. Food is love, food is entertainment, food is celebration, food is a hobby, a career, a life. Food is so much more than just food.

Calling people 'arseholes' for a very benign (if annoying) self-label is really OTT, flamingomingeo - and rude.

I love your username @FullofCurryandparatha.

Like the master chef contestants who get booted off and finish with

"It won't stop me cooking and enjoying food"

Heaven forbid. 😂

I love your username @FullofCurryandparatha

Thank you! It's my default state