gourmet
Refined palate holder
Gourmet describes food, cooking, or dining of especially high quality and refinement: a gourmet restaurant, gourmet coffee.
As a noun, a gourmet is someone with cultivated taste in food and drink—a connoisseur who appreciates fine cuisine.
The word can shade into pretension: He's such a gourmet he won't eat at chain restaurants.
Marketing has diluted the term; "gourmet" now appears on everything from frozen pizzas to dog food.
French for high
- degustationCareful tasting of foods
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
- foie grasFattened waterfowl liver
- trufflePrized subterranean edible
caviar · bouillabaisse · coq au vin · pâtisserie · risotto · sashimi · flambé · sous-vide
Fifth taste sensation
- savoryAppetizing, not sweet
- succulentMoist and flavorful
- delectableExtremely pleasing to taste
- aromaticPleasantly strong-smelling
piquant · tangy · zesty · rich · complex · nuanced · layered · balanced
Knowledgeable, passionate follower
- sommelierTrained wine service professional
- oenophileLover of vintages
- bon-vivantConnoisseur of good living
- palateOral cavity ceiling
discerning · refined · cultivated · knowledgeable · discriminating · appreciator · taster · critic
Ostentatiously wealthy
- extravagantExceeding sensible bounds
- sumptuousSplendidly rich and costly
- decadentSelf-indulgent, often corruptly
- exclusiveLimited to one group
premium · elite · upscale · lavish · indulgent · splurge · prestigious · rarefied
Made manually, not machined
- small-batchProduced in limited quantities
- charcuteriePreserved meat preparation
- farmsteadFarm with residence
- sourdoughWild-yeast bread starter
heirloom · terroir · provenance · bespoke · craftsmanship · organic · sustainable · authentic
haute
French for high
- degustationCareful tasting of foods
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
- foie grasFattened waterfowl liver
truffle · caviar · bouillabaisse · coq au vin · pâtisserie · risotto · sashimi · flambé · sous-vide · molecular
umami
Fifth taste sensation
- savoryAppetizing, not sweet
- succulentMoist and flavorful
- delectableExtremely pleasing to taste
aromatic · piquant · tangy · zesty · rich · complex · nuanced · layered · balanced · subtle
aficionado
Knowledgeable, passionate follower
- sommelierTrained wine service professional
- oenophileLover of vintages
- bon-vivantConnoisseur of good living
palate · discerning · refined · cultivated · knowledgeable · discriminating · appreciator · taster · critic · judge
opulent
Ostentatiously wealthy
- extravagantExceeding sensible bounds
- sumptuousSplendidly rich and costly
- decadentSelf-indulgent, often corruptly
exclusive · premium · elite · upscale · lavish · indulgent · splurge · prestigious · rarefied · imported
handcrafted
Made manually, not machined
- small-batchProduced in limited quantities
- charcuteriePreserved meat preparation
- farmsteadFarm with residence
sourdough · heirloom · terroir · provenance · bespoke · craftsmanship · organic · sustainable · authentic · rustic
delicatessen
Prepared foods shop
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- French Wordsbaguette, femme, croissant, enfant, champagne
- connoisseursart connoisseur, oenophile, audiophile, cinephile, bibliophile
- Culinary Termsfusion, fine dining, haute cuisine, cooking styles, artisanal cooking
- food photographyhero shot, food styling, plating, garnish, overhead shot
- pleasurepleasure, enjoyment, delight, gratification, contentment
gourmetglutton
Excessive, voracious eater
philistine · gorger · guzzler · trencherman · overeater
gourmetfast food
Speedy prepared meals
fast-food · junk food · slop · greasy spoon · low-end
- gourmet foodPremium culinary preparations
- gourmet chefExpert in fine cuisine
- gourmet mealExpertly crafted fine food
- gourmet cookingRefined culinary art
- gourmet diningSophisticated culinary experience
- gourmet treatRefined culinary indulgence