What's gourmet food? How does it differ from what isn't categorized as gourmet? Who categorizes it as gourmet?!

What's gourmet food? How does it differ from what isn't categorized as gourmet? Who categorizes it as gourmet?

Good question ! By defination, a gourmet is a connoisseur of food and drink. In other words, a French know-it-all. I think the word gourmet is used by trained chefs to denote a discriminating taste in food and wine, and by restaurants who claim to serve the same. I am of the mind that any one can be a gourmet cook by using imagination and creativity in the kitchen. Since there's no " Gourmet Police " , anyone can categorize their food as gourmet , and magazines use the word so they can charge a lot for glossy pages full of complicated, costly receipes that most of us wouldn't attempt, but it's fun to read about that stuff if you're a " foodie". So-called " gourmet " touches include the use of fresh herbs , attractive garnishs , and unusual combinations. Scrambled eggs become gourmet if you stir in a spoonful of cavier , and a hamburger earns status if you sink some gorganzola cheese in the center of the meat before grilling, then top it with garlic-laced homemade mayonaise.