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?

@fimofriend, that is the huge disconnection in all the conversation. I defend myself against accusations of being a foodie, because that is conflated with being snobby about food, when my dinner this evening was a pork chop and bubble and squeak. and very nice. with lots of ketchup

I do grasp, even from my comfortable MC pedestal, that people living in ramshackle accommodation, without a proper kitchen, and distant from a proper supermarket are going to find it an uphill struggle to cook healthy balanced meals twice daily, but I really don't know how to make it better. Some of the solution is money, of course, it always is... but I don't think it's the whole answer. Most of southern Italy is much poorer than the UK, yet the diet is healthier.

@Fimofriend

Nope, sorry, France is the European leader for fast food consumption.

Your ideas about British cooking and eating habits seem very outdated.

@Saz12

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.

Where do you come by this interpretation of foodie?

To me it just indicates someone is a fan, has a particular interest in, food. Like a groupie. Or a Trekkie.

@RosieGuacamosie

With respect I think most people are, to some degree interested in cooking

Good lord no. I have no interest in cooking. 1000s of people, particularly blokes have none.

There seems to be a bit of reverse snobbery about food on this thread. Why can't we just accept that some people are more interested in food than others?

@FloconDeNeige There might be some survey that shows that France is number one, but in most I found, France is number 4, Britain is number 1. www.hellofresh.co.uk/grocery-delivery/which-country-eats-the-most-junk-food
blog.euromonitor.com/who-eats-the-most-fast-food/

I think its wanky yes but what really irritates me is when people describe themselves say " we love to cook because we're really good cooks"...unless you're a chef, why dont you let me be the judge of that?! 9 times out of 10 when people have and I've then tried their food, its usually pretty bland and nothing great - as suspected.

I think a foodie actively studies recipes, ingredients, processes as an actual hobby. I love food and sometimes enjoy cooking but most of the time really can't be arsed overmuch. I would imagine more men than women are foodies as most women are sick and tired of cooking family meals.

I think it's more wankery to judge other people for something that doesn't concern you and invite others to do the same.

@sundowners, it might irritate you but we're quite foodie as a family. In that DS has worked as a chef in a 5-star hotel, and continues to earn money at university as a chef, and that my mum has C&G in Hotel Catering, and that I have taken a few cooking courses too. We are good cooks, and I would be confident to feed Gordon Ramsay if he popped in, without needing to plan a special menu. I would ask him to plate the food though.... my plating skills are school dinners standard!

You can enjoy food without being a foodie.