You can find food lovers in every socioeconomic class, whether it be the fine wine collector, an at home chef trying new recipes, or just a food network buff who watches while eating a dinner of Cheerios or Hot Pockets. Coming from a middle class family myself, I was raised with a lot of emphasis put on mealtime. During the months that the money was there, mother stayed home and was able to spend her time crafting amazing meals, and on the months where she too had to work the television was usually switched to the Food Network for when she got home, so we could all vicariously eat fanciful dishes and mom could get some more ideas for when the money reappeared. We also made it a goal to eat out at least once a month. It was a night that no one would have to do dishes and we could all go out and experience new things, because we always tried to dine at new places. We would rate our favorite restaurants, and it was as though each time we went out to eat we were playing food critic. It is my observation that as you have a higher income it becomes easier to involve yourself in the Foodie culture; however, I believe that a true “Foodie” can be found across classes, it just becomes a more difficult hobby to maintain as your levels of wealth decrease. I do not have the experience to speak about the complexities of upper class dining or the struggles of working class meal making, but I can say that for the majority of the middle class, the Foodie culture is about creativity.
Building your own recipes require a tad bit of imagination. Most cookbooks, cooking shows, and internet help sites leave a lot out of a basic dish that will be up to the cook to fill in for themselves. Sure, there are those who choose to dine out for all of their meals, but if you go into any middle class kitchen, you are sure to find a fridge at least partially stocked and a cabinet with one or two spices. Not only this, but according to PR Newsletter, 86% of Americans cook their own meals at least 4 times a week. (Americans, P.1) This in its own right shows an appreciation for food, because there are many methods of consumption that would be more convenient than cooking if one ate for the sake of nutrition alone. Even though so many cook at home, there is a vast span of income that goes across what is considered to be “Middle Class”. As such, many families need to work off of a budget. I have noticed that I personally lack the creative talent my own mother, and many other middle class “Foodies”, possessed; that is, making a stunning three course meal out of virtually nothing. Going along with budget constraints, a large number of middle class families have both parents working; this means a very small amount of time to actually make a dinner. There are several musical pieces that have hit top of the charts and made millions that are significantly more popular than some works that may have taken skywards of ten minutes. Similarly, a meal that is prepared for cheap, quickly, but is still delicious is no less a work of art than a masterfully crafted five course meal where everything looks pretty and the shrimp dance. Fortunately, for the beginner “Foodie” there is a great many resources to spark the artistic spirit and assist in creating their own masterpiece.
If anyone has doubts about the creativity found in food today, they need to look no further than the Food Network. Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee is the epitome of utilitarian creativity within middle class cooking. Semi-Homemade is a television program that shows its viewers innovative ways to take simple and quick dishes you can pick up from the super market and turn them into things that will impress any guest. ingenuity can be found in more than just the message of this show; as a matter of fact, every Food Network television program has some sort of creative theme to go along with it. Five Ingredient Fix with Claire Robinson is another example of a resourceful Food Network program. In Five Ingredient Fix Claire shows her audience how to save some money by making simple but delicious gourmet meals using only five ingredients. 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray is another excellent Food Network program which shows her viewers gourmet meals they can design and cook within thirty minutes. Within just three of its television programs the Food Network has catered to the middle class “Foodie” culture by making cooking easy, cheap, and quick. However a middle class “Foodie” will not always be in the kitchen and eating out is just as essential to a “Foodie” as cooking a meal at home.
Dining out may seem drab, but if you observe the average upper middle class dining trends you will see that even that is not all that lackluster. Rather than frequenting the McDonalds, which, do not get me wrong, is great for a food fix when money is tight, the majority of upper middle class diners choose rather to eat at independently owned establishments or chains that have the reputation of being “high class”. A trip to P.F. Chang’s or The Olive Garden would make for an excellent monthly family meal. Your local independently owned restaurants can deliver equally delicious food for less money. It is common to drive a little out of the way to try a new place, to decide to pick a new item rather than stick with the usual. Expanding horizons in taste adds to the creativity reserves for later meals to design. For after all, if the PR Newsletter is to be believed, less than half the week is spent out of the kitchen, so we can call that learning.
Who is to say that the pleasures of being a “Foodie” have to end after mealtime is over? One of my fondest memories of eating was after the meal, the time for review. With the help of the internet many middle class “Foodies” are out there sharing their opinions of restaurants and recipes, each of them a “Foodie” in their own right. Expressing unique opinions allow these “Foodies” to push their own taste buds onto whomever reads; influencing or reinforcing other’s unique tastes. Not only are there reviewers, but also those who share their creativity and artwork with the world. Many blogs, such as Gluten Free Girl, are ways for the “Foodie” to share their own original inventions with other similar minded “Foodies” across the planet.
Why define art as something expensive and time consuming? A “Foodie” is merely a connoisseur of his art: food. Being placed in different socioeconomic statuses will affect how food can be prepared, served, and eaten, but it takes no amount of importance off of food itself. For the middle class “Foodie” the key to his or her art is merely creativity; designing new recipes around the obstacles of a busy work week, a hungry family, or a tight wallet. The middle class “Foodie” culture is still full of its art through its use of the internet, innovative cooking shows, and a solid love of food.
Works Cited
Americans Likely to Continue Cooking At Home As Economy Recovers. McIlhenny Company, 20 Oct. 2009. Web. 25 Oct. 2009.
G5 Foodies Class
Ol’ South Heritage
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