Gourmet meaning: a trendy word in Italian cuisine.

But what will be the true meaning of the word "gourmet"? Are you wondering the same? For several years now, the word gourmet has become part of everyday jargon in Italy and has practically become a trend. We hear it repeated in the most popular television programs dedicated to cooking and recipes, we read it in articles about venues, and as if that weren't enough, even our friends talk about gourmet restaurants and pizzerias. But what does the word gourmet mean?

To trace back to the original meaning of gourmet, we must start from the Old English grom – which literally means page, boy – and cross it with the French gourmand, i.e. glutton. Initially, gourmet meant taster and wine expert, later solidifying into "fine eater." Thus, a gourmet is a person knowledgeable about gastronomic products, a lover of good food, a connoisseur in every aspect. Having clarified this, we come to the modern meaning of gourmet: a refined kitchen that employs top-quality products, true excellences, more or less expensive. But not only the quality of the raw material matters, because in order to boast the "title" of gourmet, a venue must pay high attention to the care, presentation, and aesthetics of food. In short, a dish must not only be good to eat, but also beautiful to look at!

Gourmet meaning: dishes, people, and venues

A first course, a second course, a dessert, an entire menu, or even a sandwich can be gourmet, as can a chef, a restaurant, a simple ingredient, food, or even the palate of the person eating it. All of this can be connected to the word gourmet. Its meaning has a positive connotation to describe, in general, high cuisine, people, or foods with refined tastes. A gourmet palate, therefore, refers to a fine and sophisticated palate that can recognize sought-after and genuine pairings, a true expert. At this point, one question might arise: Must something be gourmet to be good? The answer is: absolutely not. Grandma's meatballs, mom's spaghetti dish, a delicious grilled meat or fish, or a homemade tiramisu are all wonderful dishes to enjoy without hesitation, even if they cannot claim the word gourmet.

Gourmet meaning: synonymous with starred cuisine but also pizzerias

When thinking of a gourmet restaurant, the mind immediately flies to a legend of the dining industry: the Michelin guide. The red guide, as it is commonly called by those in the know, is the volume that encompasses the excellences of Italian dining. There are just ten establishments with three stars, the highest rating one can achieve, in Italy. In these places, you will find the highest expression of the word “gourmet” from a gastronomic perspective. Visiting these true sacred temples of Italian cuisine and managing to understand the deep balance that often lies behind each dish makes us fully fledged gourmets, connoisseurs of fine dining.
Consider that in recent years pizza, a product that originated from humble beginnings, has also become gourmet. Indeed, the art of making pizza has made giant strides, and thanks to increasingly sought-after doughs and ingredients, its value has risen to the point of being, in some cases, a true gourmet dish. Let’s clarify one thing: for a pizza to be defined gourmet, it is not enough for it to be presented cut into slices and placed in the center of the table for tasting. Gourmet is everything that, as I have already said, means a refined, sophisticated cuisine that pays attention to taste and aesthetics, made with quality products.

Gourmet: the meaning for Spaghetti & Mandolino

Spaghetti & Mandolino is somewhat like the artisan of e-commerce dedicated to gourmet gastronomy. Thanks to a continuous, careful, and selective search for typical Italian products, over the years it has managed to create an important catalog of products ready to arrive directly at people's homes. Not all are gourmet, but they are certainly all good. What makes the difference between whether a product is gourmet or not often lies only in the hand of the cook when faced with an excellent product. The exquisite Cantabrian anchovies or Culatello di Zibello used in the right way can be described without fear as gourmet products. Just like many other Italian cold cuts or cheeses of niche, or the prized truffle.

Francesco Scuderi