Foodies and Trekkies Unite!

Recently a food blogger friend of mine proclaimed on her Facebook page that she hated the term "foodie". I had to wonder to myself (with a shrug), "What's the big deal?"

It made me think of the same debate amongst Star Trek fans, which I am proud to admit I am one (Classic vs TNG, btw). The term "Trekkie" has been hated by some fans who think it belittles them and their reverence for the show. The Trekkie has been stereotyped to be the overzealous, trivia filled, costume wearing convention goer. They are the ones who can quote every line from every episode and will endlessly debate scientific arguments regarding the space-time continuum. Trekkies were famously lampooned in the William Shatner sketch on Saturday Night Live where he told them, "Get a life!"

Trekkers demand that they are not Trekkies. Trekkers say (with their noses in the air) that they are (supposedly) more sober, dignified, and respectful than those Trekkies. Thing is, I'll bet they still quote every line and argue about the space-time continuum. They just do it in the closet. Trekkers, to me, are in the closet while Trekkies are proud to strut their stuff outside of it. (BTW, I'd be the Trekker standing in the doorway saying, "Is it safe to come out?")




Earlier this year there was the article The Moral Crusade Against Foodies. How similar were the descriptions of foodies to Trekkies to me. Foodies were described as the overzealous diners who will pick apart the components of their dishes and wax on about the benefits of sous vide. Hmmm. Sous vide and space-time continuum.... I think we need to schedule these two for a date.

This from Wikipedia:

Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, foodies differ from gourmets in that gourmets are epicures of refined taste, whereas foodies are amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news. Gourmets simply want to eat the best food, whereas foodies want to learn everything about food, both the best and the ordinary, and about the science, industry, and personalities surrounding food.

As a food blogger and a food lover who knows all about my local dining scene, I personally have no issue saying to a person that I am, indeed, a foodie. (I did so just the other night to my blind date.) Do I want to go around and say I'm a gourmet? I don't want to be perceived as going around with my nose in the air. Yes, I will definitely opt for the more gourmet option if my budget allows, but I'll eat anything (short of manufactured, processed food) that tastes delicious, no matter how cheap or pedestrian it is. Give me good, cheap street food any day.


I actually like the bit above that says that foodies "simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news". I fit that description perfectly. That's what I do. I eat it. I make it. I pay attention to news and trends regarding it. I blog about it.

Food is a dominant part of my life now that I am a food blogger and food truck advocate. Any guy who dates me is going to have to get used to me photographing my food in restaurants and better have an adventurous palette. I was so dismayed recently to discover that I could never date Anderson Cooper due to his absolute dismissal of food as just a means to fuel himself and not for enjoyment.

I will search the city for a burger that is my idea of perfection. I will eat kangaroo if it is on a menu. I will learn a new baking technique and I will save up for an expensive dinner at a high priced restaurant.

I am a Foodie!  (and a Trekkie)!