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Original poster

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

111 replies

RosieGuacamosie · 10/03/2021 22:46

Grin

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?

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 12/03/2021 13:01

FullofCurryandParatha... we have lots of reality television shows as well. Is that 'cultural'?

It is a matter of opinion. I don't seek anything other than nourishment from food - except Wotsits, which are a guilty pleasure devoid of nutrients altogether.

People also like to eat whilst watching television. It's habit, an enjoyable one for them. I don't do it because I have a tendency to gain weight so mindlessly eating whilst watching would be counterproductive for me.

I don't have an opinion on whether people eat in company or not, take hours over it or not, talk about recipes endlessly - all fine by me.

Just that word. Foodies. It's pretentious and, on that, I will not bend.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 12/03/2021 13:02

I have had to look up what a 'paratha' was... Blush

AlexaShutUp · 12/03/2021 13:02

Thank you! It's my default state

I'm jealous! I could eat paratha all day! Especially stuffed with cauliflower, with a bit of yoghurt and lemon pickle. It's making me hungry just thinking about it!

FullofCurryandparatha · 12/03/2021 13:03

It is a matter of opinion. I don't seek anything other than nourishment from food - except Wotsits, which are a guilty pleasure devoid of nutrients altogether

No it isn't. Its a matter of opinion for you as to how YOU feel about food. It is not a matter of opinion how humans as a species overall feel about food. It is easily demonstrable that you are entirely wrong if you think that for humans overall "food is just food". We all know that is not true.

AlexaShutUp · 12/03/2021 13:04

I have had to look up what a 'paratha' was...

They are truly delicious!

FullofCurryandparatha · 12/03/2021 13:05

Lunch is paratha stuffed with onion and paneer today. No curry though Sad Grin

AlexaShutUp · 12/03/2021 13:06

Lunch is paratha stuffed with onion and paneer today.

Am I invited?Grin

raspberrymuffin · 12/03/2021 13:15

I say it in a self deprecating way because it sounds better than "I like eating cheese" (you can tell that just by looking at me) and explains why we planned our honeymoon around a Michelin starred restaurant.

I think if your argument against the term is based on the fact that you often eat in Michelin starred restaurants and don't think it's a big deal, you maybe need to consider that for other people it actually is a big deal and they are doing this instead of spending money on some other interest. Or maybe I just need to eat less cheese.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 12/03/2021 13:30

FullofCurryandParatha... I only speak to my own opinion, if I say 'food is just food' then I'm giving my perspective. That's what it is. I'm not going to give your opinion of it or your justifications for that as it's not necessary. I can barely gather my own thoughts some days, I would not dare opine for an entire species.

That said, your lunch does sound nice. Can we agree on that?

FullofCurryandparatha · 12/03/2021 13:34

My lunch is almost all gone. But it is delicious.

I think some people would describe me as a foodie. I wouldn't, I woukd describe myself as a fat fucker Grin

MargaretThursday · 12/03/2021 13:35

Ask my bil if he thinks he's one. If he does, then it's wanky.

RampantIvy · 12/03/2021 13:42

I don't seek anything other than nourishment from food

That sounds a bit joyless. I enjoy eating and trying different things. Luckily I love salads and vegetables so my food nourishes me as well as tasting good. I like Wotsits as well Grin

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 12/03/2021 13:52

RampantIvy, I read it back to myself and think I could have worded it differently. I do have food issues (for myself, not for others) and it shapes the way I think.

If I eat a roast dinner, I eat the vegetables first, then the meat, potatoes last. It's not 'saving the best for last' it really is maximising nutrients... which I then negate with Wotsits! I also fast 16:8 or longer so I've had to stop mindlessly munching them.

I've come to the conclusion that I have a horrible relationship with food and could never aspire to be a 'foodie' anyway, whatever I did. Grin

Gastropod · 12/03/2021 13:58

There's an awful lot of projection going on on this thread!
Being interested in food, ingredients, cooking beyond the basic provision/meeting of nutritional needs doesn't make somebody wanky or pretentious! It really is just a hobby like any other.

I don't mind at all being called a foodie, if that's the term for somebody who enjoys reading about, tasting and trying out different foods and recipes, beyond just buying and making the necessary meals.

If I choose to spend more of my disposable income on buying food, cookbooks and ingredients and less on, say, clothes or skincare, does that mean I'm looking down on somebody who doesn't?
It's got nothing to do with class, though perhaps a little to do with disposable income.

I lived in France for years and loved that good food there was aspirational, and spending money on good food wasn't seen as some kind of weird snobbery or a declaration of class or station - but just a nice thing to spend money on, if you had it.

Labobo · 12/03/2021 14:09

I always thought foodie meant someone for whom food is a hobby not just something to eat. So, they read all the new recipes and try the new restaurants and go out of their way to visit specialist cheese shops or food markets. I love nice food and eating but that stuff doesn't especially interest me. I'd rather spend money and time on sporty and arty stuff than foody stuff.

RampantIvy · 12/03/2021 14:29

I suppose food is a hobby for me. I really missed going to food festivals last year.

XingMing · 12/03/2021 14:44

I like to read about food, I enjoy shopping for good, fresh ingredients, and the preparation, and the eating. Our friends talk about food, recipes and restaurants. The word isn't one I'd choose to use, but it would be a fair description I suppose.

Miljea · 12/03/2021 18:02

I think there's quite a few people in this thread who should proudly claim the word 'foodie' to describe themselves and their relationship to good food, as opposed to 'just fuel'.

There's nothing remotely snobby about the concept, to my mind! I wish I were a better and more adventurous chef, myself, and could afford amazing restaurant food made with passion!

Loved 'not so much a foodie as a fat fucker'. 🤣🤣🤣

Nesski · 12/03/2021 18:24

I think it just depends on why the person counts themselves as a foodie. Someone who is or has been on a personal journey to educate, test by shopping/cooking/trialing food sources and around the culture of food is considered a foodie IMO, although the noun itself is shit and has been completely ruined by those that label themselves as such just because they queue up for hours to try the latest curry joint or pay extortionate prices for tasting menus is someone who just enjoys eating.

TatianaBis · 12/03/2021 18:27

No. One of my sisters is big foodie. I am definitely not. I eat food. I just don’t care about it. She likes cooking, trying new recipes, searching out niche ingredients, finding new restaurants.

TatianaBis · 12/03/2021 18:28

I’ve never heard her call herself a foodie, I don’t know if she even thinks of herself as one, but I definitely do.

Saz12 · 12/03/2021 18:34

To me declaring yourself “a foodie” sounds like you’re stating that you have an expertise, which given that everyone is an expert in their own tastes is vaguely irritating. Most adults can cook for themselves, most will occasionally look at a recipe book and make something new, (some more often than others!).

I always think “epicurean” sounds like some sort of air-dried meat, in a human-charcuterie type of way.

MacbookHo · 12/03/2021 18:40

I think calling yourself anything is a bit wanky.
Just say you love food.

Fimofriend · 12/03/2021 19:40

If 85% of the British population likes trying new food why do the Brits consume 40% of Europe's consumption of fast food and why do hotels abroad have to have fish and chips, burgers and french fries on the menu if they want to attract British tourists and why can so few British adults cook? I mean actually cook not "heat something up". One if my friends have been teaching cooking at WI events so I assumed it would be something advanced because ... come on WI? Old women who cook to raise money for charity... But no. It was standard food that I thought any grown woman could cook. In my town the food bank keep reminding us not to donate potatoes or raw veggies as the recipients have no idea what to do with them. Did you see Jamie Oliver's series where he tried to get the schools to serve better food? The majority of the employees in the school kitchens couldn't even chop veggies or peel a potatoe. They looked at him as if he was insane.

makingmammaries · 12/03/2021 20:36

Maybe I’m being really naive but I don’t know anyone who thinks “oh yeah let’s go on holiday there and who cares about the food”

I’ve done that. There are places where the food is almost guaranteed to be awful, but there are other things to see. Apparently, the national dish of Iceland is rotten shark. People still go there. Then again, foodies make if a point of honour to try everything at least once...