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The Food Chain

Factual: Food & Drink

Examining what it takes to put food on your plate

The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.

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The Food Chain: Down with 'Foodies'?

Magazines & Reviews

Down with 'Foodies'?

12/12/2015 GMT

BBC World Service - The Food Chain, Down with 'Foodies'?

Hipsters, food fads, and the culinary class wars

Hipsters, foodies and other name-calling from the culinary class wars

Is being cool a sign of culinary class? In the autumn of 2015 the Cereal Killer café in East London was attacked by protestors. They viewed it as a symbol of rapid gentrification - arguing that the cafe- which serves cereal from around the world- exemplified the rising inequality in the UK's capital. It led to some basic questions about running a food business. And the tensions between what’s trendy, what’s traditional and what’s affordable when it comes to eating out. 

But a larger discussion, about conspicuous consumerism and the so- called ‘foodie movement’ looms.  In this programme from London, Sarah Stolarz explores the intersections of city living, being upwardly mobile and the pursuit of the next best meal.  We look at food trends and their irresistible appeal when it comes to social media- although it turns out, no one actually likes to be called a 'foodie'.  Is access to new and varied food becoming more democratic, or are social media sites glossing over the surface of the culinary class wars? And what does that have to do with the price of pineapples? 


Featuring:  

Alan Keery: Co-Owner, Cereal Killer Café
Josėe Johnston: Author, 'Food, Democracy and Distinction in the Gourmet Foodscape'
Polly Russell: Curator at the British Library
@ClerkenwellBoyEc1
David Sax: Author of 'The Tastemakers: Why we're crazy for cupcakes but Fed Up with Fondue'

Photo: multi-coloured macaroons, Credit: Thinkstock

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