Welcome Friends, Countrymen...

Greetings my fellow foodies! And thank you for stumbling upon my humble blog (even if it was an accident…because let’s be real it probably was). As I embark on the blogosphere, I think you and I should clear a few things up:

• No. “Foodocrat” is not meant to conjure up feelings of any specific party bias or to represent my political leanings in any way. It’s merely me trying to express my belief that taxes on “food” should be increased, big “restaurants” benefit everyone, and providing social services—such as “leftovers”—to those who are hungry is a nice thing to do. (See what I did there?) No but really, this blog is only called Foodocrat because my friend Edward said I needed a one-word title and this URL was available. I’m not trying to make some sort of backhanded political statement. (Or am I…) No, but seriously. All republicans, democrats, tea partiers (only if this means you actually go to parties and drink tea, not the other kind. We all have limits) non-affiliates and those who are just plain exhausted, are welcome. In fact encouraged, as I am fairly certain that only my parents will end up reading this.

• Yes. I love food. I love eating it. I love cooking it. I love looking at it when it’s in the window of a really snooty patisserie. However, and this is a big however, I am by no means an “authority” per se. Much as I enjoy—because I really do—shoveling food into my mouth whilst repeating phrases I learned from Top Chef, I am just your average, run-of-the-mill young lady searching for good eats in the city that created the cheese steak. Perhaps one of the least refined foods money can buy. But hot damn if it isn’t delicious.

• Yes. I am cheap. (I know you were thinking it anyway, so we might as well just get it out in the open.) We’ll say thrifty, actually, because that sounds a whole lot more like a compliment. That means that most of the restaurants I dine in, meals I prepare, and tips I give will be for those penny pinchers out there who enjoy the finer things.

• No. I am not alone in this journey. Well--I guess Yes AND No might be more appropriate. Allow me to explain, because just like you all thought I was cheap—and you did, don’t deny it—you think I’m loner, too. But I've always believed that when you dine, take a partner in crime. That way, you get to try TWO things. Genius, I know. So I promise you this, dear friends, that whenever possible I will drag along one of my loyal friends on this roller-coaster we call life. Because really, when it comes down to it, aren't we all just boppin' along, looking for a dinner date who can stand to watch us eat a lobster? If that ain't love, than I don't know what love is.

So if this quest of mine sounds like something you’d be in to, come along ma friends. Because, if Top Chef has taught me anything, it’s that dealing with food is no joke. So I say “Bonjour Blogosphere!” And let’s collectively hope that this adventure leaves me feeling full—pun intended.