Are you a "fueler" or a "foodie"?

by Nicole Weston, Posted May 15th 2006 @ 7:03AM

The Irish agriculture minister, Mary Coughlan, recently said that "consumers could be divided into 'fuelers,' who use food purely to satisfy hunger, and 'foodies,' who seek out the richest flavors and textures and most interesting and authentic products." This statement followed news that exotic and expensive foods, like Kobe beef and "organic beef goulash for babies" are rapidly gaining popularity in Ireland.

To be honest, I am a little insulted here. I don't like to think that food is so divisive and so black-and-white. Granted, there are people who care more than others, but you don't have to someone who only wants to eat incredibly expensive food, like the $150 Wagyu/foie gras sandwich at Selfridges, to enjoy eating. I don't know about you, but I can enjoy an ordinary burger any time I want to and still consider myself to be something other than a "fueler."

Perhaps Ms. Coughlan should look more carefully at the nuances of being a foodie and consider that a preference for foie gras is not the defining criterion.

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Filed Under: Newspapers
Tags: authentic, british isles, burger, eating, enjoy, enjoyment, expensive, expensive burger, food, foodie, fueler, hunger, ireland, irish, sustinance

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-15-2006 @7:33AM Alex said... I don't think she said that 'a preference for foie gras' is the defining criterion for being a foodie.

I know quite a few people who eat because they have to. They won't go out of their way to try something new and they certainly won't spend money on a new/unusual/excellent eating experience. I'd say they're definitely 'fuelers'.

If, however, you invest some time and energy (and even money) into your eating - if you do seek the 'richest flavours and textures and most interesting and authentic products' (I'm not reading 'predilection for foie gras' in here, or anything about spending a lot of money, either) - then you probably apply that to burgers too.

I think saying you're insulted is sort of being insulted for the sake of it, without considering what Ms Coughlan actually said - which I actually think is pretty spot on.

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5-15-2006 @9:21AM Angela Pitt said... Whether you're a foodie or a fueler, ya gotta eat!
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5-15-2006 @1:00PM John said... I always hated the term 'foodie' as it sounded too... well.. yuppie. The description from the article actually fit what I see in my head when I think of the word. I love my food. I'm very not a 'fueler,' but I'm not that type of foodie. Hell, before I was diagnosed with diabetes, I was very happy with the occasional McDonalds/Taco Bell/Jack in the Box trip.

So, I always considered myself a 'food slut.' I still use the term. =)
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5-15-2006 @3:59PM shewi@earthlink.net said... I have to agree with Alex. It's inane to think that a well-made burger made with great ingredients is only fuel. If you're saying you like crap burgers occasionally, that's fine, too. But it appears that you've put words into Coughlin's mouth, and that's not so great.
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8-03-2006 @11:53AM MJ said... Foodie for life!!!! Yumo, could talk about food and shop for food all day. Gourmet to southern style I have tons of different olive oils, salts,teas ,chuntys, sauces of the gourmet variety.Love to go to shops when I travel the list is endless and never boring. Love to cook for 1 to 100 and have done with great planning and fun!!
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