A Cookie, Not a Foodie
The term foodie probably could be as good as any other to describe someone to whom food is important in some capacity or other, but, at least in my mind, it holds a negative connotation. When I think “foodie,” I think of a person who obediently follows the latest trends set forth by the food industry, whether that be worshipping the current superstar chef, dining at the trendiest restaurant, or cooking with the currently vogue ingredients, all the while smugly lording over the rest of us poor slobs who don’t follow suit. A foodie doesn’t go to church, he goes to a restaurant; he proselytizes by blogging in self-aggrandizing fashion about his passion for the trend du jour, all the while blind to the irony of it all.
Me? I prefer eating delicious food to mediocre. That may seem like a silly distinction to make, but I think most people don’t really care. How else do the Applebee’s and McDonald’s of the world stay in business? I’d hazard to say that the majority of people, Americans at least, are not only content with mediocrity, they prefer it. It isn’t simply convenience that prompts them to eat dinner at fast food restaurants night after night, for it would be easier (not to mention healthier) to shop once, procure the ingredients for several meals, and cook them at home. The time it takes to drive to a restaurant, park, order, wait, eat, then drive home is roughly equivalent, if not less, than the time it would take to quickly assemble a better-tasting burger or hot dog at home. Moreover, those same people would cringe at eating anything more unusual than a sandwich; there will be no foie gras, sushi, or kimchi for them. Yes, I am firmly convinced most people truly prefer bland, predictable, mediocrity when it comes to what they eat.
So then, to continue my assertion: I prefer eating delicious food to mediocre, I prefer cooking my own meals to eating out, and I am not only willing to go the extra mile to find fresher, better ingredients, I relish the thrill of the hunt. It pleases me to no end to find a viable new source for fresh and tasty foodstuffs. When I do eat out, I eschew the trendy dining spots, preferring instead to venture into out-of-the-way neighborhoods to try hole-in-the-wall ethnic eateries, random taco trucks, and homely diners, hoping each time to discover heretofore hidden hideaways that have been unnoticed by the media, if not downright ignored for their lack of a wine list or acceptable ambience. To do so, of course, one must be willing to endure the inevitable horrific meals that come with such a cenatory policy, and, I ever the stiff upper lipped stoic, defiantly am.
I don’t feel at all special for doing any of this. I know I’m one of many food-obsessed folks, though from now on, I will refer to myself as a “cookie” rather than a “foodie,” (even though cookie already means something else) as a way to distinguish myself from the sheep-like masses glued to the Food Network, adulating at the altar of Emeril. I’ve offered up a couple song write-ups; I’ll write more. In addition, I’m going to start peppering my blog with some cookie posts. I hope you will find them enjoyable and informative.
As I have no training beyond the cooking skills imparted to me by my mother, and those I’ve taught myself, and hold no claim to being capable of reviewing or rating a restaurant other than to say what I liked or disliked and why, anything I ever write here about cooking, eating, or other topics prandial, are to be taken at face value. Food, like art, is a matter of opinion, and my opinions are of little consequence to anyone other than me. At best, I hope over time I’ll share some interesing information, and hopefully learn from my readers through comments and emails. Bon appetit!
you do love food. and i know first hand you’re a great chef!
If I ever meet you are you going to cook peas for me, Pea? lol
I am one who does not often cook but prefers to eat at better Asian restaurant for I find it healthier alternative to American fast foods.
Haha, I bet you prepare a pretty good “Coq au vin”, I like to try it sometimes.
hear hear! i just really enjoy crafting good things in my kitchen. i like keeping it stocked with all sorts of delicious and random things, and playing the “well… we’ve got some of this… how bout THIS STRANGE AND WONDERFUL THING for dinner?!” and it is WAY cheaper and WAY healthier and all that other stuff. but i have yet to watch any food shows or give a shit what anyone else is cooking (unless they’re cooking for me). the only semi-trendy (i Think?) cookie/foodie thing i do is try out seasonal ingredients that i wouldn’t ordinarily think to cook with, and that’s usually just in the name of being cheap…
ahahaha. i just realized the implication that this post is probably no longer current, checked the year posted, and confirmed. well. i’d be interested to hear what you’ve ended up as.
@Lex, Perfectly acceptable to comment six years later, especially since I’m re-sharing the older posts one by one. As for me, though my oh-so-clever moniker of “cookie” never caught on, I am still someone who loves to cook. Like you, I’m definitely fond of cooking with seasonal ingredients. I grew up eating what was in season by default, because my mom grew her own fruits and vegetables. Nothing beats a piece of corn that was still growing moments before it was put into the pot.
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hmm can i be an eat-ie?