The term ‘foodware’ was coined in 1999 by a group of gastronomical taxonomists known as DELFT (Demarcate Every Last Food-related Tool). Founded in 1996 by L. Inneaus Quiche, PhD, of the Massachusetts Institute of Taxonomy, DELFT’s primary objective was to re-examine the existing classifications of thousands of food-related tools and correct any structural deficiencies within the classification process that could lead to culinary confusion.

Between May of 1996 and December of 1998, the members of DELFT conducted an extensive examination of the existing classification structure and concluded that the structure was unable to describe any food-related tool above the level of Phylum, i.e., there was no term to describe the Kingdom to which the food-related tools belonged. After intense debate, DELFT members finally agreed on the word ‘foodware’ as being an acceptable term to describe the Kingdom of food-related tools. Shortly thereafter, DELFT released the following examples of taxonomical classification for food-related tools:

Butter Knife

Kingdom: Foodware
Phylum: Dinnerware
Class: Tableware
Order: Flatware
Family: Silverware
Genus: Cultellus
Species: dilitatus


Sauce Pan

Kingdom: Foodware
Phylum: Kitchenware
Class: cookware
Order: Metal ware
Family: Copperware
Genus: Lebes
Species: condimentus


Salad bowl

Kingdom: Foodware
Phylum: Dinnerware
Class: Tableware
Order: Dishware
Family: Ceramic ware
Genus: Catinus
Species: moretus


Wine glass

Kingdom: Foodware
Phylum: Dinnerware
Class: Tableware
Order: Drink ware
Family: Crystal ware
Genus: Phiala
Species: vinaria



Don’t believe a word of it!