My husband and I had a discussion recently about what it meant to be a foodie. He was a little disappointed to be relegated as my dishwasher. He argues that he’s a foodie also, because he likes to share a fine meal with me… so we went to Wikepedia for the general consensus definition:Foodie is an informal term for a particular class of aficionado of food and drink. The word was coined in 1981 by Paul Levy and Ann Barr, who used it in the title of their 1984 book The Official Foodie Handbook.
Foodies are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news. Gourmets simply want to eat the best food, whereas foodies want to learn everything about food, both the best and the ordinary, and about the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food. For this reason, foodies are sometimes viewed as obsessively interested in all things culinary. There is also a general feeling in the culinary industry that the term gourmet is outdated. "Foodie-ism" is a modern, popular way of engaging food culture for the general population.
Dear Husband,
You play a vital role in my life and my kitchen, you make it easy for me to explore new culinary adventures; and I love that your taste buds follow me in good faith off every cliff.
But sweetie, by definition, you’re not a foodie.
When I drive to Fairway and back just for pumpkin seed oil, you think I’m nuts, but love the meal. When we walk down the street and I have to stop at every restaurant to read menus and pinch ideas, you pull me away to keep us on schedule, but you love the outcome. And when I come to bed with an armload of cookbooks, cooking magazines, sticky notes and highlighters, researching our next dinner party, you wish I would pay more attention to political issues and watch the news instead. But you’re my biggest fan at every party.
And so sweet husband of mine, let’s compromise. I’ll grant you an honorary foodie membership - with deep appreciation of your whole-hearted support and steadfast dishwashing skills.
PS - Dinner’s going to be messy tonight.
dear nat,
ReplyDeletewhen i have been a guest cook in your kitchen, i have appreciated your skills too. and you make a mean meat sauce.
black boot soup
I agree. I had the same discussion with my wife. And by definition she is more of a dishwasher too. She thinks I am crazy because I am always writing in my notebook ideas for new recipes or making too much of a mess in the kitchen. No complaint though when she sits down to eat.
ReplyDeleteThe world needs dishwashers too.........