Why are you a serious eater?
I was wondering how you define yourself as a 'serious eater'. In other words, what do you value in food, like local, natural, or organic foods? Or fair-trade, socially responsible, sustainable?
Is there a common trait of a Serious Eater and what is it? It seems there is a general trend of preferring homemade food or small, independent businesses and hating on chain and highly commercialized food.
It seems like most people in this community are more conscientious of where their food comes from and how it is made compared to the general population. I am interested in your thoughts...
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
38 Comments:
I'm a serious eater because I had the good fortune to be born to two parents who value food as more than gasoline for the body. They were aware of the benefit of cooking real food in the face of "convenience" food out of a box or bag. Regardless of income fluctuations, my parents found a way to put real food on the table, no matter the lure of something cheap and potentially detrimental to our health.
I'm not waving any flags for perceived "moral eating." When "sustainable food" and "local produce" begin being offered for a markedly lower price, I'll start buying it. Logic dictates that having to ship food a shorter distance warrants charging less for it. When that happens, more people can afford to be "socially responsible."
therealchiffonade at 7:01AM on 10/16/09
I was lucky to be exposed to interesting foods when I was a child. The interest and appreciation stuck. I didn't really start cooking seriously till about 5 years ago. It's only been in the past 2 years that I've cooked mostly from scratch and with more emphasis on fresh produce and new techniques and ingredients. I love it.
arm1970 at 8:56AM on 10/16/09
What do I value in food? flavor . but i am not a "serious eater" i am more of a chow hound. What is the difference, i can appreciate things at all ranges of the food experience, be it a night at Alinea, or a brat over a campfire. In participating in the posts here for the last few months, many of the serious eaters here are what you described, tied to a cause, all for homemade, and fawning over high end restaurant experiences. There is a lot of misinformation on the basics of Organic and sustainable, there is a lot of hate for manufacturers and processors, there is a lot of misinformation on what family farming is today, there is an unhealthy belief that all New Yorkers and Even residents of Fargo should be eating locally. Many here seen to be tied to myths and ego, it's safe to eat rare ground meats or fresh caught sushi. I started to learn to cook when i was 6, Later in life I was trained as a commercial sausage maker, a baker and chef. Food isn't about ego, I make the best_____, or this is why you need to be Vegan, or eat only locally and organic. Organic farming can't feed the world. Modern processing and storage is essential to feed the world.
Sorry that this turned into a rant, but the basic message is, food is life, life should be fun.
Meat guy at 9:11AM on 10/16/09
but the basic message is, food is life, life should be fun.
AMEN!
caramel at 9:17AM on 10/16/09
I don't care much about all that. I like to eat things that taste good even if that happens to be neon cheese nachos from a ballpark or McDonald's fries (hoping they are finally being honest about that whole beef extract thing).
sloppy at 9:18AM on 10/16/09
My dear sainted mother was a wonderful mom, but her cooking wasn't her strong point. I'm not sure if that was her fault or perhaps my father's rather finicky eating habits. On Fridays, our dinner was always the same. She would get some frozen fish, called jack salmon, which were neither jacks nor salmon, but were semi-whole, skinned, gutted, and beheaded fish of some sort. Whiting perhaps. She would roll them in corn meal and fry them until they were so stiff you could hammer nails with them. The two side dishes were Kraft Mac 'n' Cheese (yes, the blue box with the powdered cheese) and a can of stewed tomatoes.
When I grew up and left home, my first experience with real food was when I went on the Fire Department in my home town. We always had lunch and dinner at the firehouse. The crew consisted of four men. One volunteer would cook, and the other three guys would clean up. Wow! Could this guy cook! I gained 15 pounds the first six months! He taught me how to fry chicken, make a wonderful, tender pot roast, etc. That was back in the early 1960s. And I've been eating well and cooking ever since!
1stmakearoux at 10:29AM on 10/16/09
Food is a celebration of life.... ALL FOOD, from the nuclear Twinkie, to the freshest, most sustainable, organic and seasonal piece of fruit.
I don't believe you can be a Serious Eater unless you can appreciate all food. You don't have to like it all, but at least appreciate it.
Pavlov at 11:01AM on 10/16/09
Growing up, the running joke in my family was that my stepfather thought he was a g-d. My mother would serve him burnt offerings and the rest of the family worshiped the water he surfed on. This is no joke. My mother would make pork chops that you could drive nails with.
Because of this, I started cooking when I was tall enough to reach the top of the stove. All of us children did. Each one had a night where they were in charge of dinner. This eventually turned into a career for me. Went to culinary school, worked in various 4 and 5 star hotels and restaurants over the years.
Now I have hung up my professional knives, but still cook. Mostly teaching my daughter who, at 6, is a foodie in her own right. She is willing to try just about anything, and in most cases finds that she likes them.
ExChefInMA
aholsberg at 11:11AM on 10/16/09
I became a serious eater because I grew up with 2 working parents. My mom didn't really like to cook, either. There were lots of TV dinners and fast food. I then went into a 6 year relationship with an Italian-American. And while, he taught me many things about cooking (many I use to this day), he was very limited with his palate. He didn't like seafood and we mostly ate only Italian when we went out. Once I left that relationship, I decided I wanted to explore the food world. I began trying so many things I had never had. To this day, if I haven't had something and it is offered, I try it. No matter the color! There have been things I've spit out, but by far, I have experienced the true pleasure of real, natural food. Fruits and veggies not dipped in sauces and sugars. Cheeses I never knew existed. Tofu and other vegan specialties that I didn't think I'd enjoy as a meat-eater. I expanded my cooking skills and now my family eats home-cooked meals at least 5 times a week. I make sure my son at least tastes things before he refuses them (no small feat with a 2-yr-old). And I cook with fresh, natural ingredients. I not big on organic, but I do try to look for local farmers, lots of farmer's markets in my area. I love food now. I thought I loved it before, but now I know what real food is and I love more than I could have imagined.
angb78 at 11:24AM on 10/16/09
great topic jo_wang
I was wondering how you define yourself as a 'serious eater'.
>>seriously passionate about all things food. "seriously" in regards to "for sure" not that I take it too "seriously" :)
In other words, what do you value in food, like local, natural, or organic foods? Or fair-trade, socially responsible, sustainable?
>>All of the above are features I attempt to choose. Whenever possible. IMHO if an eater has some serious passion about food and all thiings food they should spend time to understand WHERE it comes from and HOW it gets into your mouth. All of the above things you listed are choices made by people who understand this process :)
** I also work in Natrual Health Product, Dietary Supplement, Organic Foods, etc. labelling 5 days a week so that kinda helps too! LOL
Is there a common trait of a Serious Eater and what is it?
>>Thought-provoking question jo! I mean as far as the 'blog' goes it could really be anyone with appreciation for the saying Live to eat--not Eat to Live
But a serious-eater to me as @chiffy, @1stmakearoux and @arm1970 said: I assume most of us (not all) grew up with foodie-passionate parents. This is something I'm SO GREATFUL for every single day.
@pavlov: great point. "I don't believe you can be a Serious Eater unless you can appreciate all food." [...] "at least appreciate it."
hungrychristel at 11:59AM on 10/16/09
Nothing more than the fact that I am obsessed with food. My husband says he's never seen anything like it.
flavacrisp at 2:35PM on 10/16/09
My mother would tell my bf's when I introduced them to each other, "If you don't want to see her grouchy, make sure you always feed her. She's been that way since she was a baby."
I concur.
I'm not a fanatic about where my raw ingredients come from, as long as they taste good.
My parents were extremely open-minded about food; as a result, I am very food curious, even though I've become picky with age with specific ingredients. If an opportunity came up where I could try whale meat, I'll be clammoring to check it out. I also don't care about food fads. I like what I like, e.g., fried Spam.
Cooking isn't really my thing. I don't loathe it, since I can easily spend 4-5 hours making 1 dish and enjoy it. Ever since I was a little kid, I have preferred to unwrap than to wrap gifts, even though I am proficient at wrapping.
Cassaendra at 3:11PM on 10/16/09
if it tastes good - i'm serious about it. of course it has to BE good, also.... that means good quality, etc. your body is like an engine, if you put the right things into it -- it purrs like a kitten.
pooch at 3:27PM on 10/16/09
I'm food-obsessed, but so as the majority in Japan.
I became pretty conscious about sustainability and such, and I try to eat local and seasonal food, but the bottom line is it has to taste good.
While I do think about sustainability, one side of me always says, "I have limited number of meals I can eat in my lifetime. therefore, I don't want to waste any single bite on food that doesn't taste good."
So, not eating bluefin tuna because it's on the verge of extinction hurts me, though it's very easy to do where I live.
hmw0029 at 4:18PM on 10/16/09
I love food.
Food in face = even better!!
Stixxx at 4:21PM on 10/16/09
I have been a serious eater since I was born. I grew up in a family of 11 (including Mom and Dad) and food was serious for us. We did not have much money, but my Dad and I made some of the best one pot meals that filled everyone up. I learned to make food from scratch, shop economically and use whatever was in season. My dad's sister owned a farm and we got our chickens, eggs and all kinds of produce from her for free. There was no canned food in our house except for what we preserved. I learned to eat just about everything that is on an animal. Yes I am an offal eater too. We even ate tops of beets. Most of what we ate is now priced so high in the supermarket. I have my own vegetable garden which is "organic" (of course we grew organic before it was even a word)and grow even what some consider "gourmet" vegetables. I make all kinds of soups from scratch and make the best soups and stews from leftovers. So am I a serious eater? You betcha!
seefoodcook at 4:51PM on 10/16/09
Wow, some serious answers about serious eats!
Me, I just think food is crazy delicious. There's nothing else I like to eat!
Yukiyummy at 5:10PM on 10/16/09
Eating, cooking, sharing - this is a great community!
MMinNYC at 5:19PM on 10/16/09
So it is safe to say that every on here highly enjoys eating food. This should be obvious, but there are some people out there who don't enjoy eating. -gasp- that is possible in a human! But we are all here, and it takes a certain passion to read food blogs all the time. You know who you are ;)
Although some people's background did not foster their obsession about food, clearly there is something innate that we all share that drives us to see food as more than just nourishment. Or maybe a change in lifestyle (becoming vegetarian) or parents who can't cook drove you to learn more about food and cooking.
For me, I think it was a combination of having a natural interest in food and becoming vegetarian early in high school. Becoming vegetarian has increased my knowledge of food by a gazillion and improved my cooking skills. I tried many many new recipes and learned about a lot of new ingredients by reading cookbooks. It has also led me to the habit of spending almost all my time on the internet reading about food.
I am vegetarian for ethical and environmental reasons, so that has a great influence on my food choices. I also value healthy eating, but all in good sense and not to the point of deprivation. When I first changed my diet, it made me take a step back and assess the "Standard American Diet", which consists of fast, convenient, sugar/fat/salt laden foods eaten mindlessly, in the car, standing up, or in front of the TV or computer. I don't want to be a snob and in reality, I don't eat everything slow-cooked and homemade at the family dinner table, and I do have some pretty bad eating habits. However, being a Serious Eater for me means that I am aware of these habits and hopefully eat in a more mindful way.
jo_wang at 5:38PM on 10/16/09
I'm generally too broke to be serious about only buying local or organic, but I do believe strongly in using fresh ingredients and making from scratch instead of using convenience foods. I grew up with a celiac father and an entire family of bland eaters. Somewhere around high school I just got sick of rotating between plain pork chops and plain chicken, and taught myself to cook.
I love the intersections of sweet, savory, spicy, salty. I like to tweak recipes I find online or see on the Food Network. I think food should be a fun and creative process from start to finish.
I like things to taste delicious, but also complex. I'd love to grow my own vegetables and herbs someday. I love talking with others about cooking and baking, and have a real appreciation for the effort put into a meal or a dish.
ec_washington at 5:40PM on 10/16/09
For me it has been a wonderful mix of the three themes above.
Family - My mother and my sister are incredible cooks. I didn't catch the bug until later, but there were signs. Mixing 'potions' in the kitchen with mom when I was a kid; sous chef in charge of chopping veg for soups when I was a little older; and now gathering around a table when the family is together in whatever pieces can be in the same place at the same time. Somewhere along the way, discovered that I not only liked to eat, but that I loved to cook, to talk with people about ingredients and techniques with which I was unfamiliar. Since then I have to buy my own socks and underwear at Christmas because my stocking stuffers are kitchen utensils, bags of South Carolina grits, and cookbooks.
Community - Both in terms of creating and sustaining a community of food that is both local and a driver in a diverse economy and as a collection of farmers and cooks, parents and friends. I think that food by its very nature is communal, and that friendships and families are strengthened by sharing meals. Taking the time to make the meal a part of that strengthening, and not simply the sustenance that allows us to keep breathing. I think as we spend time at SeriousEats, on Facebook, and in our daily lives thinking more about connecting with people and why those connections are important, that I take time to weave cooking/eating into that connection.
Flavah - Yeah, it matters that what I eat tastes good. I concur with several of the above comments that make sure "serious" is not conflated with "stuffy" and that the All-American Burger and Fries, or a bowl of tomato soup on a cold day are held in as much regard by some as Gigot en Chevreuil on page 341 of Mastering French Cooking. Grabbing a beer and a dog at the ballgame and spending six hours in the kitchen on Thanksgiving are equally important and serious bits of food to me.
kitchengeeking at 6:12PM on 10/16/09
Every living thing has a need for food, and the appeal is instinctual, but many people have no aesthetic appreciation of it, thinking of food as mere fuel. I think that this is sad, and personally want to experience more out of life. Good food stimulates all of your senses, and can be a source of unlimited pleasure. Food can be as accessible or elusive as you want it to be. Seeking it out is a a challenge, an adventure that spans the world's cultures. You may not have chance to travel to India, for example, but you can sample their food and get a taste of it, even at home.
A group meal is the cornerstone of a strong family, and the concept dates back to the earliest human civilizations. My mom was not a gourmet cook, but she made some good dishes. I have fond memories of the love that went into her food, and cooking for and teaching other people about the joys of good food just makes me feel good. It is something creative that I can do well, unlike other endeavors that I have tried and failed miserably at.
salpico at 6:44PM on 10/16/09
I have a few medical conditions which mean I'm almost never hungry, and can't eat much anyway. I love looking at pictures and reading recipes, because it gives me an appetite.
NotAmerican at 12:19AM on 10/17/09
I'm a serious eater 'cause no one ever said that I was a funny eater.
finewinendine at 8:55AM on 10/17/09
I love to cook and I love to eat. Cooking started out as something I enjoyed and found rewarding, but I would also eat out several times a week at the time. Now I cook most meals from scratch and eat out only once in or twice per month. I love trying new things and I've learned a lot from this community. It's been a real pleasure to discuss food and read about recipes, ideas, etc. on Serious Eats. So that's why I keep coming back.
As for food philosophy, I agree 100% with Michael Pollan's definition of food. My order of preference in purchasing food is 1.) unprocessed/chemical free, 2.) local, 3.) organic. But that's just my preference, not my religion. I'm not a food snob. For example, it's not possible or convenient to always avoid processed foods, like during airport layovers. And I'll admit, I look forward to getting that totally unnatural fast food sandwich at the airport. Somehow I'm able to put aside my disdain for factory-farmed chicken and enjoy a crisp, fried chicken sandwich in an airport. I'd rather have an imitation of a balanced meal than a bag of stale trail mix that's been sitting at the newsstand for eons.
yayfood at 10:21AM on 10/17/09
I'm a journalist and a cook, so I'm thinking of the literal sense of why I closely follow this site. It keeps me up to date with everything "food" and inspires me with great recipes, restaurant info and more. Thanks for a great site!
KarinCooks at 11:02AM on 10/17/09
THE QUESTION IS WHY AREN'T YOU A SERIOUS EATER? Nothing is more basic. Nothing is more primal. It sustains us and defines us and keeps us alive.
bnordo at 10:26PM on 10/17/09
AMEN, bnordo.
betteirene at 11:40PM on 10/17/09
Yes, bnordo - but some people eat simply to live. They find no pleasure in it and any old thing will do. For those people, food is merely gasoline for the body. This group does not fit that criteria. We began talking about T-Giving when? Late August? Non-foodies show up at T-Giving dinner with the obligatory bottle of wine, take a seat and eat. A foodie plans the meal, down to the last detail, weeks before it is to take place. If invited, a foodie offers to help prepare the meal and loves to discuss the details.
For non-foodies, eating is not a hobby or a quest to find the best (fill in the blank). For non-foodies, it's noon and some unwritten law says it's time to eat.
therealchiffonade at 7:10AM on 10/18/09
Been cooking since I was in grade school. Chose not to make it a profession. Have a large family, kids and grandkids and they all live with us. So I run my kitchen like a small cafe. Menus / financial analysis of supplies vs what's eaten / ongoing work to keep clean and food prepped for a variety of different schedules etc. etc.
So hanging out on the food boards helps a lot with recipes, shortcuts, new ideas. It's also very frustrating for us to all go out to eat (plus expensive) and / or call in for delivery pizza. And it's easier to produce healthier meals when done at home.
Besides all that, the whole process for me is relaxing. I take our food needs very seriously. I figure since we need to eat, I want to make it fun! Oh and by the way, with the swine flu / cold / virus season here, I have little faith in other people prepping my food. I know what my sanitation standards are.
Ribster at 7:16AM on 10/18/09
I like food. Eating it, talking about it, reading about it, looking at it. That just about covers it. Oh cooking it too, I suppose
Lilla at 3:33PM on 10/19/09
@Lilla, Your statement above could have been the credo on which I founded my gourmet group. There was always a cluster of my friends who'd gravitate together and talk about food at just about every gathering. I decided those little discussions should happen on purpose - thus the Wooden Spooners were born.
therealchiffonade at 3:48PM on 10/19/09
Lots of good thoughts here. It is great to be able to see what others ideas are.
My thoughts- In normal situations one is going to eat every day and several times a day. In many cases this is done w other family members. This being the case I feel that it is to our benefit to seek out the best quality we can afford and prepare the meals we feel those around us will enjoy the most. Look on the whole process as an act of giving to others be they family or friends and enjoy the ride. Put some fun in your life. Try something new. A meal and family time should be enoyed, not something to just be done with and move on to something else.
The food itself is important, but what we put into it and why is what really matters
dasmueller at 9:26PM on 10/19/09
Nothing makes me feel more complete than cooking after I've had a bad day, or shopping at the local farmer's market, or being surrounded by utensils and appliances at the cooking store, or eating at an amazing restaurant in the city, or...
avaryne at 9:26AM on 10/20/09
I come from an Italian family where every aspect of life revolves around food. When I went to college, money was tight, so I started really getting into making everything from scratch which ended up being cheaper and much better than typical college cuisine. My roommates loved me for it. I enjoy being able to make food for myself and others, there is something very personal about making a meal for someone. I also find being in the kitchen a total stress reliever, and I always find myself talking about food to people (most of whom look at me like I have seven heads).
jackgib at 11:24AM on 10/20/09
@jack - who cares how they look at you? As long as they enjoy food with you and celebrate your ability to prepare it. Some of my friends don't understand my obsession with food - but they're all happy I have it. (PS Fellow Italian here!)
therealchiffonade at 12:37PM on 10/20/09
Call me a pedant, but isn't the term "serious eater" just something that www.seriouseats.com just made up as a marketing slogan? It doesn't have any intrinsic meaning to it, if you catch my drift. By saying you have an interest in food you say pretty much the same thing. Far be it for me to harsh everyone's mellow, of course...
mslaas at 11:03PM on 10/20/09
Seriously? You've NEVER heard the phrase "wow - those are some serious eats" or "you can get some serious eats at the diner on 441"...? I find that hard to believe. I guess it's possible because I've never heard some of the phrases popular on the west coast like "rode hard and put away wet" (to describe someone disheveled looking) or "f*ck me running" to describe.... I have no idea.
therealchiffonade at 6:14AM on 10/21/09