gourmand

thumb|Gourmands by Krzysztof Lubieniecki, [[National Museum in Warsaw]] A gourmand is a person who takes great pleasure and interest in consuming particularly good food and drink. Gourmand originally referred to a person who was "a glutton for food and drink", a person who eats and drinks excessively.

==Etymology== Gourmand was derived from a French word that has different connotations from the similar word gourmet, which emphasizes an individual with a , discerning palate and is more often applied to the preparer than the consumer of the food. But in practice, the two terms are closely linked, as both imply the enjoyment of good food. In his book Alamanach de las Gourmands, Grimod De la Reynière wrote that a gourmand is not only a person endowed with an excellent stomach and strong appetite, but also adds to these advantages a delight taste. Reynière concluded that the first principle lies in a single delicate palate, matured with a long experience. The French Academy dictionary suggested that the term 'gourmand' was a synonym of 'glutton' or 'greedy'. thumb|:fr:Henri Brispot|Henri Brispot's A gourmand