What Does “Gourmet” Really Mean?
I Was Surprised!

I must confess that I never considered myself to be a gourmet.

Now I find out that I am one after all.

Am I the only one who has been confused about that word gourmet?

I always thought it described a certain type of cuisine that was usually exotic, came in small portions, and cost a lot of money.

With that attitude, I wasn’t all that excited about sending—or especially receiving—a gourmet gift basket.

But then I went into the gift basket business and discovered that I had it all wrong.

So, What Does “Gourmet” Really Mean?

When I first started my business, someone told me, “You want to concentrate on gourmet gift baskets. That’s what most people want.”

“Yeh, sure,” I thought to myself. “If I don’t want a gourmet gift basket, why would anyone else?”

So I went to Mr. Webster—the dictionary that tells you everything you need to know about words.

When I looked up gourmet, my mouth fell open.

The definition was essentially “a lover of good food.”

That’s when I realized that a gourmet isn’t a particular type of food or cuisine.

A gourmet is a person who appreciates good food.

And I love good food.

So I must be a gourmet!

Does Gourmet Mean Expensive or Exotic?

Apparently, it doesn’t.

That was the part that surprised me the most.

When I heard the word gourmet, I pictured expensive foods with fancy names that I couldn’t pronounce. I imagined tiny portions on very large plates and foods that most people would never think of buying for themselves.

But gourmet doesn’t have to mean any of those things.

It can simply mean good food that someone enjoys.

And that opens up a whole new world when you’re choosing a gift.

What Makes a Gourmet Gift Basket?

When I finally understood what gourmet really meant, I completely changed the way I thought about gourmet gift baskets.

I started offering gourmet gift baskets that weren’t necessarily filled with exotic foods that people had never heard of.

Instead, they were filled with good food.

That might mean specialty chocolates, nuts, crackers, cheese, cookies, coffee, snacks, or other treats that someone would be delighted to receive.

The best gourmet gift basket isn’t necessarily the most expensive one.

It’s the one filled with foods the recipient will actually enjoy.

What Foods Are Considered Gourmet?

This is where gourmet gets fun because everyone’s definition of “good food” is a little different.

Some people like more unusual or sophisticated foods. They might enjoy pâté, imported cheeses, smoked salmon, specialty olives, or dark chocolate.

Other people are perfectly happy with chocolate chip cookies and brownies.

I have friends who would choose a beautiful box of cookies over almost anything else.

Then there are the savory-food gourmets.

They love cashews, pistachios, almonds, gourmet crackers, corn chips, pretzels, and other salty snacks.

And let’s not forget the coffee and tea lovers.

A beautifully packaged coffee or tea gift can be every bit as much of a gourmet experience as an expensive bottle of wine or a box of imported chocolates.

Even Kids Can Be Gourmets

Once you stop thinking that gourmet has to mean fancy, you realize that just about everyone is a gourmet in their own way.

Kids certainly are.

They may love macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, animal crackers, cookies, popcorn, or their favorite snack foods.

They may not know anything about pâté or imported cheeses—and they probably don’t care.

But give them something they consider really good food, and they are perfectly happy.

That’s gourmet enough for me.

Gourmet Is Really About Knowing What Someone Loves

This is something I’ve learned after more than 30 years in the gift basket business.

When you’re choosing a food gift, the word gourmet isn’t nearly as important as knowing what the recipient likes.

If someone loves chocolate, a basket filled with wonderful chocolates may be the perfect gourmet gift.

If they love salty snacks, give them nuts, crackers, and savory treats.

If they’re a cookie lover, don’t feel that you need to find some exotic delicacy just to make the gift “gourmet.”

Give them really good cookies.

The thought you put into choosing the food is what makes the gift special.

So, Are You a Gourmet?

Probably.

If you have a favorite food that you look forward to eating, enjoy discovering a particularly good chocolate, have a weakness for freshly baked cookies, or get excited when someone brings home your favorite snack, I’d say you qualify.

You don’t have to be a food critic.

You don’t have to eat at expensive restaurants.

And you certainly don’t have to spend a fortune on food.

You just have to be a lover of good food.

And if that’s the definition, I guess I’ve been a gourmet all along.

Choosing a Gourmet Gift

The next time you see the word “gourmet” on a gift basket, don’t assume that it means expensive, exotic, or unfamiliar food.

Instead, think:

Good food.

Then think about the person you’re giving it to.

What do they love?

Chocolate? Cookies? Nuts? Cheese? Crackers? Coffee? Tea? Savory snacks?

That’s where you’ll find the right gourmet gift.

You can browse our gourmet gift baskets for ideas, or simply use the same principle when putting together a gift of your own.

Choose good food that someone will enjoy.

That’s what gourmet really means.

And now that I know the truth, I can finally admit it:

I’m a gourmet.

And I suspect you are, too.