Celebrity has its uses. I can always get a seat in any restaurant.
Just like becoming an expert in wine–you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford–you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. The you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences.
Freshness is essential. That makes all the difference.
Cooking may be a creative art, but it's also a wonderful full-time hobby.
Was it a sign of Creeping Decrepitude?
Until I discovered cooking, I was never really interested in anything.