Being a foodie in modern society certainly has its prerequisites, but is a status easily achieved by the so-called average Joe. All one needs is a sophisticated palate, a mind open to different foods, and a sufficient amount of spare time. Just because one is not necessarily wealthy does not mean that being a foodie is unattainable. The foodie world is open to soccer moms and socialites alike.
Many people in today's society see a need to be wealthy in order to be a foodie. However, this is clearly disproved by the numerous bloggers who do not have a limitless supply of money. First, it is necessary to explain exactly what a foodie is. The dictionary defines a foodie as “a person keenly interested in food, especially in eating or cooking.” In order to be a foodie, all that is truly required, according to the said definition, is an interest in food. Also, a foodie can be an especially skilled or interested cook rather than someone who dines at the finest of restaurants. This means that although the restaurant sampling options are not endless, there are still ways to create and enjoy amazing food. A foodie is not limited by one's budget, but rather by one's creativity to explore new options and the willingness to try new things.
For example, a low-budget foodie can be found on blogs all over the internet. In fact, there are entire blogs that cater to those who enjoy food but would prefer to avoid debt. One of these websites is www.thebudgetfoodies.com, where bloggers find tasty, low-budget recipes and an occassional restaurant for those who are on a tighter budget. The writers of the Budget Foodies blog offer recipes such as spaghetti carbonara and protein-packed spinach salad at a lower cost than would be offered at the most upscale restaurants. A foodie does not necessarily have to buy the most expensive of products in order to create decadent meals. The importance is found in the end result, rather than the cost of the individual product. There are copious numbers of blogs dedicated to showing the world that foodies do not have to be of the highest socioeconomic class.
Another blog dedicated to the phenomenon of the low-budget foodie is called A Poor Foodie's World. An anonymous blogger who loves food and is on a tight budget finds alternate options to the expensive and over-priced restaurants found in her city. Living in San Jose, California, it is not necessarily the easiest task. However, she makes a point to find affordable and delicious foods for her blog.
Rachael Ray claims on numerous occasions during her show that she uses food that is on sale at the grocery store. Most mothers are busy caring for their children and cannot work to add an extra income. This definitely does not mean that these mothers are incapable of being foodies. On Rachael Ray's official website, there is an entire section dedicated to low-budget recipes that are still tasty and foodie-worthy (http://www.rachaelray.com/food/collections/budget/index.php). Not every person can afford to spend inordinate amounts of money on groceries in order to prepare divine meals, hence the need to offer less pricey recipes. A refined palate should not be constrained by economic factors. Rachael Ray's cooking style focuses more on utilizing the products that are available to oneself in order to create the best possible end result. This is in contrast to the false belief that one must use only the most expensive of products in order to cook. Learning to live, cook, and dine on a budget is a highly valued skill.
Numerous cookbooks exist for the purpose of catering to low-budget foodies. The Frugal Foodie Cookbook present 200 gourmet recipes for any budget. Alanna Kaufman is an acclaimed foodie and blogger who consistently posts recipes with her boyfriend. Her cookbook explores the idea of the low-budget foodie, including inexpensive recipes. A foodie herself, Kaufman's cookbook creates delicious options such as Chicken Satay for a low cost of four dollars per serving (Kaufman, 3). Chicken Satay is originally a Thai dish that can be found in pricey, upscale restaurants. However, Kaufman's cookbook brings an equally delicious option for less money. These recipes show the numerous ways for cost-conscious foodies to express their love of cooking and dining.
Another cookbook designed to help foodies on a tight budget is Everything Meals on a Budget Cookbook. The author, Linda Larsen, is a foodie with a degree from St. Olaf College, who has worked for Pillsbury (Larsen, Introduction). Her numerous cookbooks share the theme that one does not have to be rich in order to enjoy great food. The recipes found in her cookbooks are short on cost bust long on taste, which helps the foodies of the lower and middle classes. Larsen has an incredible amount of experience in the food world and know how to create fantastic meals for less. Her recipes are a testament that a foodie does not have to be rich in order to make great food. These cookbooks are written proof that anyone with a passion for food can pursue the foodie world.
Demographically speaking, who is to say that the upper class should rule the foodie world? In 2005, studies showed that only one and a half percent of the total American population were classified as “upper class.” If this is true, then only this small number of people can be classified as foodies! What about the rest of America? There are people everywhere who enjoy food- not just the upper class.
When viewing restaurant reviews, there are often options for a price point, signified by the symbol “$,” which increases with price. McDonald's would have the symbol “$” whereas Daniel, a fine New York restaurant would have the symbol “$$$.” In order for reviews to exist under the “$” category, there must be foodies exploring these less expensive restaurants. Thus, the foodie world is open to those who can find good food anywhere. If there were no restaurant options for those who cannot afford the high-end restaurants, there would be a large number of unemployed former restaurant owners. Foodies should always explore the cheaper options in order to find new places, rather than the same, unoriginal, over priced restaurants.
There are restaurants everywhere to choose from, so the foodie should not be limited to just the most popular or most expensive options. The Nashville Foodies blog shows restaurants all over that do not break one's budget. The lower level of cost, represented by the “$” icon, has the most results when searched. There are over forty-five restaurants that Nashville Foodies have visited in order to show that there are certainly options for a lower budget (www.nashvillefoodiesblog.com/).
What if a low-budget foodie wants to sample these higher end restaurants? There are ways to work around the most expensive plates served. If one is feeling the need to explore the expensive restaurant scene, then do it! Many restaurants serve Happy Hour specials, have Happy Hour buffets, and there are always the less pricey menu options. Ordering alcoholic beverages will only pile money onto the tab. Instead, order a sampling of small appetizers or the cheaper menu items. That way, the price will be lower and the food will still be satisfactory. Try going family-style. In a large group of people, order a number of different dishes and then split the tab accordingly after some generous sharing. There is no need to order a ten-course meal every time. Good food can be found at any price. It's all about working within one's limitations and being creative.
Also, foodies should constantly be on the hunt for new dining experiences. These include the small, ethnic places that most people have not ever tried. A true foodie would have tried every restaurant available within a reasonable radius, rather than just the ones where the foodie has consistently dined. Finding new, exciting, places does not have to be expensive. The old-fashioned whole-in-the-wall restaurants can be just as satisfying as the upscale ones. For example, the fried chicken found at Sassafras Southern Bistro is roughly fifteen dollars with basic sides. However, the fried chicken found at Buckner's, a whole-in-the-wall place in Middle Georgia that only true townies know about, is only nine dollars per person, with an unlimited amount of every southern delicacy imaginable. There are ways to work around a tight budget in order to get the most out of an income.
A foodie should not be thwarted by an income. Truly amazing food can be found in the most unlikely of places, including restaurants where no foodie has gone before. There are approximately 215,000 full-service restaurants in the United States alone (“Restaurant”). It is the job of foodies to sample these restaurants in order to truly know where quality food can be found. There is no way to know if the best food is under ten dollars per person, if foodies only try the most expensive restaurants. Learning to work within a budget and still find fantastic food is part of a foodie's job. The foodie world is certainly not limited to only the wealthy; it is open to all those who are willing to taste!
Works Cited
"Budget Meals." Rachael Ray's Official Web Site. Web. 23 Oct. 2009.
"Creamy Spaghetti Carbonara." Weblog post. Web. 24 Oct. 2009.
Ctran. Weblog post. A Poor Foodie's World. Web. 25 Oct. 2009.
Kaufman, Alanna, and Alex Small. The Frugal Foodie Cookbook. Avon, MA: Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, Inc., 2009. Print.
Larsen, Linda. Everything Meals on a Budget. Avon, MA: Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, Inc., 2008. Print.
"Restaurant -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 25 Oct. 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Restaurant>.
Wes, Adam, Heather, Joshua, and Megan. "Nashville Foodies." Web log post. Web. 25 Oct. 2009.
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