Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Foodiness and non-foodiness are a continuum, it seems to me. Yes, I'm interested in food and I'm a cooking enthusiast, but to some boardmembers I'm sure I'm a nonfoodie. If I stick around long enough you're going to read a post from me lambasting food snobbery.

I eat probably 90% "real" food - mandatory In 'n' Out burgers a couple times a year - however, I seem to run into a lot of judgmental foodies.

(Maybe it's because I've lived in Southern California my whole life. People here took the no carb diet a few years ago to new extremes; they would order something amazing like pizza, then scraping off all the toppings, toss the crust in the trash, and proceed to eat the toppings like a bowl of cereal. Super crazy. A few exampes:

They say: "Ewww, Fage has fat in it."
(Then don't eat it 3 times a day, you tasteless nut job.)

They say: "Ewww, that cookie has flour and sugar in it."
(Yes, you royal dork boat, that is the very definition of a cookie.)

They say: "Ewww, that dish contains butter."
(You complete and utter imbicile, get out of my line of sight.)

Of course, I never say these things. However, if our thoughts were to ever be projected onto a holagram above our heads, I'd be in deep trouble!

Ha, this reminds me of "30 Rock" the other night, when Liz Lemon asks her boyfriend "Hey, what is this citrusy glaze on the salmon?" and he replies "Orange Gatorade". HA!

Most of my friends aren't foodies, but are open. If I mention Kobe beef or kalamata olives, I've had "What is that?" reactions. And those aren't even that unusual of food items. My fiance has a friend who I always invite over to Sunday dinner (single 33-year old guy) and he always loves what I cook, but always asks me about it. At least he's interested! And I made a mousse with homemade whipped cream a few weeks back, and he was amazed. "I've never seen anyone make whipped cream. How do you do it?" Poor guy had been eating Reddi-Whip and Cool Whip his whole life!

oh my gosh!!! Until I read this post, I didn't realize that other people had the same predicament!!

I often forget that some people don't give a crap about what they eat. But I still ask, and then get 1 word answers.

I sometimes do ofer suggestions, but most of the time I just smile and go... "cool."I guess some people just have different passions in life!

I generally don't care what other people eat. I like to encourage certain foods because I like them so much or they are really good for an issue. Otherwise, I wouldnt feel bad for someone unless their food choice is governed by a lack of choice (no money or transportation or an evil diet). Then, I guess if we were friends, I would help. I also don't really judge them either. Maybe they like the food I find distasteful.

It always amazes me how many people are just not very interested in what they eat. They're willing to eat the same things over and over, with no curiousity or interest in trying new things or ways of doing. Granted, I have my definite likes/dislikes, but I am usually willing to try something new ~ unless it's liver or sour cream! I have one friend who loves sushi (even eel), but won't try anything the slighest bit spicy or tangy. Not hot, just spicy or tangy/tart.

I work more or less on my own, but I have weekly meetings with my boss at his house. Where 30 minutes to an hour are usually set aside to discuss food with his wife.

With friends and family, anytime I cook for a potluck or some get together I always get phone calls wondering what I'm bringing and some ideas for what they can bring. For the friends I usually dumb it down as they are more than likely going to do something comepletely awful with a jar of pepper jelly ritz crackers and cream cheese.....

It's funny, but even with people who aren't what I would call foodies, I usually find that food is a good icebreaker. Even a nonfoodie often has passionate opinions about the best takeout, or what is good or acceptable food. Even though I might not agree with the opinions, the sound of silence on the topic of food is seldom heard in my experience...

Back when I had an office job, I was very lucky to have like-(food)-minded coworkers/friends...we worked at the head office of a large bank, but some days we certainly spoke more about food than banking:-)

Now that I work from home and am only in contact with my current coworkers through email, we don't have any non-work related "conversations". It's fine with me, actually.

My on-site coworkers have four legs and tails, and they expect me to cater all of their meals.

My coworkers that I see once a week at a meeting are usually the ones asking me what I've been cooking lately.

I first ascertain whether or not a person is interested in food and/or cooking, then gear conversation accordingly. I find that my conversations with non-foodies are limited to "just the facts." I'm much more likely to elaborate with foodies. I guess we speak the same language ;D.

Maybe I'm just lucky, but most of my co-workers are also pretty good cooks. My supervisor in particular. She and I compare notes every day on what we ate or cooked the day before, and what we're planning on for the weekend. Of course, in the OT department, part of what we do is help people re-learn how to cook with illnesses or disabilities. Maybe that's why.