Blog Post Three

Tuna tartar with fried quail egg on fried bread was a recent winning dish on the popular reality show, Top Chef. Other ingredients included sorrel, and gooseberries, fare not usually found on the average grocery list. However, for real foodies that enjoy not only the taste of a well made meal, but the ambiance, wine and even culture that goes along with it, fine dining is a whole experience from start to finish. Of course to feast upon this type of nourishment, a person must be willing to spend more as well.

The definition of a foodie varies depending on the source. All state that a foodie as a connoisseur of sorts regarding food. However, a true foodie does not need to be a professional in the food industry, whether a chef or food critic, but can be an average person who simply appreciates a well made and presented meal. In fact, is seems as though being a foodie could be thought of as a hobby rather than an occupation or even a mindset. With this being said, being a foodie does not necessarily require a person to be in a high socioeconomic bracket. However, the gourmets in this group are more likely to be the ones that can more easily afford this pastime.

More and more today, the average person is getting a “taste” of what it is like to be a foodie. Shows like Top Chef and No Reservations are giving a front row seat into the world of the gourmet and exotic food culture. Although gourmet cooking and four star restaurants have long been in existence, they have more recently been found in abundance on television and in magazines. Tom Colicchio, host of Top Chef, along with other regular and guest judges, pass judgment on the food presented by up and coming chefs every week on the Bravo channel. Chefs compete head to head while turning out complicated cooking skills for a winning amuse bouche recipe. An amuse bouche, or an amusement for the mouth, is known as a quick bite to tantalize the recipient to want more from the menu. It could be argued that the everyday eater would not know what this small hor’ derve type of food is. However, would a foodie? Probably, but a foodie whether amateur or not, would be paying top dollar to receive this tasty morsel at a restaurant. At some point a food connoisseur will develop a knowledge base regarding food terms. Terminology comes into play, as many cooking words and phrases are rooted in other countries and cultures. Some of these may be the ingredients themselves, others could be the cooking techniques that are used. For example, a meat course is cooked by the sous vide method of low heat cooking in a bag. When food is cooked in a different fashion, such as this, a foodie will know what the end result should taste like and if it was done well.

Rachel Rays show is a huge contrast to Bourdains. She encourages people to cook delicious meals from within their own home. She creates meals and talks about them in a way that makes people comfortable and excited to cook it on their own. As a foodie, cooking meals requires more knowledge of food than tasting does. With cooking comes experience of spices and a better understanding of how the food on your plate was made. There are many cooking shows, each with their own style, that teach people to cook delicious homemade meals. Rachel ray is a little more straightforward than others. She focuses on the cooking of the meal, cooking it in real time for most of the show. This style is similar to the cooking style of Her show allows foodies of lower socioeconomic status appreciate home cooked meals more often and with greater variety as they learn new recipes.

Most restaurants with high-end food also maintain a high-end level of ambiance, and in turn, a high end price tag as well. For many authentic foodies, food is just one factor of many that helps to make up the total experience of the meal. Ambience plays an important role. Some restaurants cook the food in front of you for entertainment and setting an exciting mood. A romantic restaurant would have flowers and decoration that give off a romantic feel. And sometime the very location of the restaurant can play an important role. An outdoor meal with a beautiful view is worth more than eating in a cramped and crowded restaurant, or restaurant that is on the top floor of a building located in the heart of Atlanta. The surroundings can have a large impact on a meal. Impeccable service, and tastefully presented decorations add to the satisfaction of having a flawless meal.

Many times, a cultural understanding is helpful in recognizing great food. In the well-received show, Anthony Bourdain, No Reservations, the ambiance takes a back seat and the exotic locations take center stage. This is an example where the dining atmosphere may be lacking, yet the culture of the region where the food is being enjoyed is felt full force. Although Bourdain does not always eat at the finest restaurants, there is still a high socioeconomic feel to the show mainly because of the travel involved. Also, Bourdain’s understanding regarding not only the food but the culture of the area come across very well and he gives even the average Joe a peek into a world he may never have seen otherwise. Experiencing the food customs that are presented on the show would be a rare treat for most. The cost of travel to accumulate the knowledge base needed to appreciate nontraditional foods takes time and money before a change in taste discrimination can be found. The general population may enjoy an eggroll, but if they were presented with a traditional bowl of birds nest soup, it may cause some hesitation on the diner’s part. Again, appreciating authentic cuisine from various regions around the world can take time, and even knowledge of the customs, to form discerning tastes.

In most high end meals, the ingredients are fresh and many times are picked for their seasonality. If a certain vegetable is being harvested at that time, then many high end restaurants will fit their menus to accommodate what the food markets have available that is fresh and in bulk. Generally, the fruits and vegetables that are in season are cheaper than those that aren’t. However, fresh food is almost always more expensive than fast food fare. Even in a grocery store, the produce aisle is the more expensive place to peruse for dinner ideas than picking up a can of beans or box of macaroni. Yes, some quick dinner items are relatively expensive, but not when compared to everything that would need to be purchased for a totally fresh homemade meal, and certainly not more than one that was expertly prepared from start to finish. Many uncommon ingredients are used in high end dishes as well. The average person won’t go out of their way to search out the best place to buy Japanese mushrooms. The everyday mushroom from Publix will do.

Service in an expensive restaurant is just as important as the food. If a person is paying that much for their food they should be treated like royalty. Many TV shows don’t mention a restaurants service very much since it’s something viewers would rather experience than watch. Ruth Reichl includes quality of service when she reviews restaurants and talks about how important service is in her book Garlic and Sapphires. Service plays a major role in her reviews, making sure she is treated as an equal in the restaurant and not just ignored. Bad service can make or break any meal. When eating at a restaurant, the waiter/waitress is expected to check on you regularly. The order should be taken properly and food delivered in a timely manner. Everyone has experienced being forgotten and left hungry for an hour. Any foodie, especially when paying top dollar for a meal, expects to feel comfortable and pampered in the restaurant.

So what is really needed to become a foodie? If the definition of a foodie only requires the enjoyment of a variety of foods, then being a foodie wouldn’t have the significance that the term has obtained. An expertise regarding all things about food looms in the air when the phrase is used. It seems as though being a true foodie involves more than just enjoying great food. There are elements that go along with recognizing either high quality food or bona fide foreign cuisine. A knowledge of and experience with various ingredients, food types, sometimes even cooking terminology, is helpful. Can an average person without high social means or standing appreciate good food? Yes, however, the depth of understanding and appreciation is what may set apart a food lover from a true foodie.