I’ve always felt different from my friends and fellow foodies. I enjoy the occasional kobe slider as much as the next guy, but I felt my passion for food was a little stronger than my peers. When asked how I’m doing, I recall my latest delicious meal, eager to share my story. I’m met with awkward looks and unusual responses as I make recollections of both fancy and sloppy meals.
Why don’t others rage with excitement? Why am I alone in the struggle to find the perfect BBQ ribs? Why is this my 25th batch of cookies trying to perfect the recipe? I finally realized I’m wonderfully different. I’m a foodist.
What is a foodist?
Simply put, a foodist is someone who takes their food more serious than most. Not in a pretentious way, but in an all consuming, I will do whatever it takes to get a bite of that, kind of way. Borderline obsessive seems a bit dramatic, but frankly, I’ll admit it.
I’ve spent four hours in line waiting for Franklin BBQ, drove across the country to eat a legit Maine lobster roll and flew a red eye to Miami just to drive through the Florida Keys and enjoy a real key lime pie in Key West.
Foodie vs Foodist- What’s the Difference?
Now, the distinction between terms is not that one is “better” than the other, but I like to separate myself from my foodie friends. A foodie is someone who likes most foods, trying new ingredients and dishes at the right occasion. Food is their hobby. They take pride in feasting at a new brunch spot or sipping cocktails at the prohibition style bar. Foodie is overused to describe a mass of people.
A foodist, however, encapsulates everything that a foodie is, but takes the intensity a step further. A burning, fiery passion for all things food pushes us to extreme lengths for delicious bites. We let no obstacle come between us and the food we want. The best apple pie is only a two-hour flight away? Put it on the list of weekend activities. A new recipe pops up on my Facebook feed for oxtail and sausage ragù with handmade fettuccini? I am rushing to the store, so be ready for pasta heaven tonight.
Foodists are zealous for not only the taste of food, but understanding what makes it amazing. We want to understand the heritage, the history and the cooks who made our meal possible. The desire for knowledge takes us past simply eating to a full experience that food offers.
A foodist is not an upgrade from a foodie. Either you are one or you are not. That doesn’t eliminate those who slowly develop their palates and dive into the culinary world. Anyone can become a foodist, but it’s not a necessary title. If you are foodie, that’s great! Be proud, for we need more people like you in the world. If you are a foodist, don’t let anyone hold you back from your life passions. Spread the love of food like there is no tomorrow!
You Might Be a Foodist If…
1. Food is an Experience
Food is more than a meal; it’s a life experience. Meals transport you to childhood flashbacks or cast ironclad memories of the present. The tastes live in your memories with what you ate, and who you shared the meal with. Tasting is a realization that what you eat is a culmination of passion, discipline and enjoyment passed on for decades.
2. Research is Key
You read about a restaurant and their dishes before dining to understand what makes their food so amazing. Are wood charcoals used instead of gas? Do they age their own fish sauce for months in house? Do they use a special spice blend? Excitement builds knowing that your meal will be special and unique.
3. Books are Prized Possessions
A collection of cook books line your shelves from prestigious restaurants such as El Bulli, Alinea, or the French Laundry knowing very well you lack the resources and ingredients to replicate the fine dining dishes. It’s not just about eating the food, it’s experiencing the history and culture behind every recipe.
4. Vacations are Always About the Food
Booking a trip is always about the culinary adventures, wanting to sample iconic items such as Jamón Ibérico in Spain, Cacio e Pepe in Italy and Bún Chả in Vietnam. Travel is all about the food and how you can understand a place better by first sampling it’s delicacies.
5. Clothes Rep the Restaurants
Your wardrobe consists of t-shirts and hats from iconic restaurants you’ve visited, wearing each article of clothing like a badge of honor. You are not only supporting the restaurants, but you are proud to step outside your bubble of normal eateries to venture into the unknown.
6. Social Life is About Sharing Meals
Catching up with co-workers from the weekend consists of a charismatic monologue about the new restaurants you tried and the delectable dishes you enjoyed. Sharing these experiences are the highlight of your week and hopefully your bravado can motivate your friends to try the same meals. You invite your friends to try something new or ethnic, showing them the ropes to properly eating Korean banchan (반찬) or slurp up the broth from a Taiwanese soup dumpling.
7. Grocery Stores Break the Bank
A trip to the grocery store becomes tragic when your receipt is fifty dollars higher than expected. You definitely needed the 24 month aged parmesan cheese wedge, Spanish cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, and a dark orange filet of the wild caught Alaskan salmon. These specialty items are the difference maker when putting together the occasional dinner party, date night meal or even the afternoon snack.
These are just examples, but hopefully it paints the right picture. We are the few and proud who spend the extra time and money making our meals unforgettable. The attention to detail on where to eat or how to cook an ingredient maybe all the impact we need. Food is the experience we crave and our hearts are fully committed. Anyone can call themselves a foodie, but the dedicated and fanatic are the true foodists.
Chris Kretzer has traveled the world visiting over 35 countries and eating his way through every city. With his wife Tiarra, they explore different food cultures and create food guides, podcasts, and travel articles helping everyone experience the world through food.