Barbara Fairchild, the editor-in-chief of Bon Appetit magazine, was a judge on the American edition of Iron Chef tonight and used a funny word -- foodgasm -- to describe her reaction to a dish prepared by Mario Batali.

A quick Google returned 401 hits for this "word."

foodgasm .... her reaction to a dish prepared by Mario Batali

One wonders whether a foodgasm describes a sudden compulsion to binge out on fine food, or a state of heightened awareness of the sensory pleasures associated with food and its preparation, focused more on the sight, smell, taste, art and poetry of the undertaking, than on the act of consumption itself.

I'm afraid this coinage just doesn't work. I think it is an unforunate and inelegant neologism that's meaningless.
I am unaware of, nor can I imagine, any eating experience that remotely approaches the rapt transport of the sexual climacteric between loving partners. It may be that I am the neglected victim of an inconsiderate and impatient chef who falls asleep right after dinner and I might benefit from consulting a professional food therapist, but it's just not there for me. "Foodgasm" suggests an image of sudden projectile vomiting coming on the heels of violent gastrointestinal paroxysms. I'm sorry, but that just won't make it to round two.

Plus, the operative suffix here would be "-asm," not "-gasm."

Welcome to the Board, Dave. I hope you find it enjoyable and edifying.

As to your inability to achieve foodgasm, rather than assume that you suffer from food-frigidity, I'll just mark that up to you never having tasted my cooking.

the operative suffix here would be "-asm," not "-gasm."

Therefore the word should be taken as a portmanteau word rather than whatever we would call it if it were merely made up of existing lexemes. With out the g it wouldn't have the nuance of meaning. And while it may not be in the same league as a sexual orgasm, it is at least playing the same game. I haven't eaten any of Father Steve's cooking but I have had food that was so exquisite that I was unable to do anything meaningful but experience the food. Foodgasm may be a little too clunky to describe this feeling but, until something better comes along, it works for me.

I'll have whatever she's having.

"Foodgasm" is not meaningless to me. Like other successful coinages, it conveys its meaning without further explanation, it evokes a recognition of what it represents (not for you, it seems, bushmillsneat, but for most of us, I'd wager), and there is no readily used equivalent. I have experienced food so good that it has far surpassed other physical experiences. As always, your milage may vary.

I understand the concept but I agree that it is inelegant. (But then so is the original action from which the term is coined) I prefer bliss as a more accurate descriptor of my reaction to incredible food since it tends to include a sudden cessation of movement to focus on sensation and -gasm implies something quite different.

edit
PS Father Steve - what time is dinner?

"Foodgasm" suggests an image of sudden projectile vomiting coming on the heels of violent gastrointestinal paroxysms. That is the picture it brought to my mind.
Welcome, Dave. What is Bushmills, please? Some kind of alcohol, right? Um...whiskey?

I prefer bliss as a more accurate descriptor of my reaction to incredible food

Except that bliss all by its lonesome doesn't say that there is food involved. If you're sitting at table and have just bitten down on a slice of excellent haggis and say, "This is pure bliss," then it's pretty obvious what you mean, but if you're describing it the next day to a companion then foodgasm has it all wrapped up in one word.

> foodgasm has it all wrapped up in one word.

works for me.

Yes, Jackie, you are correct. I appropriated the name from the very fine Irish whiskey made by the world's oldest distillery whose original grant to distill was issued in 1608. It's located in County Antrim not far from the Giant's Causeway. I savor sipping it during the course of an evening of music and conversation.

Zed asks: "what time is dinner?"

And the Old Padre responds: Sorry, you just missed it. Nothing foodgasmic, but an adequate Korean meal of

Pulkogi (grilled beef ribs in a wonderful sauce)
Bap (rice)
Musangchae (a radish salad)
Bibim Naengmyon (cold buckwheat noodles)

Well, I've learned more about ecstatic reactions in my first posting than I ever expected I'd obtain in a year. I have been eating almost all my life and while I've had some outstanding meals, some exquisite meals, some downright unsurpassable meals, but I've never experienced anything near what I'm hearing described. I can't remember meeting anyone who has had those experiences. I'm afraid I've led a very sheltered life. I always am grateful for the opportunity to learn something new. However, Faldage, I do find your description of "excellent haggis" egregiously oxymoronic. I'm sure it had to be something else that precipitated your transcendent moment.
I do want to thank all of you who graciously welcomed me to your table. I'm looking forward to some more fine dining.

the world's oldest distillery whose original grant to distill was issued in 1608.
Although in fact at that point the distillery had been running for about 400 years. My Dad was born in Bushmills, and that's the whiskey I grew up on. And, by the way, it makes a great hot toddy if you happen to have a cold (and even if you don't). The family recipe: two fingers of Bush in a mug, squirt of lemon, spoonful of sugar (honey for preference, mind you), fill with hot water and drink it up in bed. This was the cold remedy from when I was about six.