[AlbertCory]

Wasn't clear, sorry.

In the evolution of popular tastes, being a foodie was not limited to a rarified minority who liked artisanal food.

In other words, dining out and reading about it had become a mainstream activity.

[demondemidi]

Ah thanks. I agree. And I think this led to the subsequent devaluation of the term “artisanal” due to its wild overuse. I don’t remember seeing “artisanal” TV dinners when I was a bachelor in the 1990s!

[ghaff]

I always have to laugh when there's a cheese plate at some midrange business hotel that describes it as artisinal.

[AlbertCory]

Just ask "Who's the artisan? I want to go to his workshop!"

Watch the confusion.