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These woven baskets filled with pomegranates, oranges, and other citrus fruit look tasty enough to inspire food quotes of their own.

“Hunger makes you restless — you dream about food— not just any food, but perfect food, the best food, magical meals, famous and awe-inspiring…”—Dorothy Allis

As a person who has more than a passing interest in good food, you share something in common with many of the artists we admire most.

Would it surprise you to learn that the appreciation of good food has inspired creative people throughout history in their greatest works?

For creative people throughout history, food has always been more than flavorful fuel for the body. It has also been a source of inspiration.

Of so much inspiration, in fact, they couldn’t resist expressing their appreciation for food in words we still quote today.

For example, an Irish playwright & novelist — one of our fellow creatives from Ireland — once wrote:

The collection of 30 additional food quotes, located below, seem to indicate ole George was on to something there. These quotes originate from a host of other writers as well as visual and performing artists.

My hope is they’ll confirm to you, once and for all, that your sincere love for food and creativity go hand in hand.

May they also remind you that good food is …

… FUN.

Good food is a celebration of life.” — Sophia Loren, actress


“Food is celebratory. People who don’t cook don’t know how much fun they’re missing.”Leo Buscaglia, chef

Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life.“—Elsa Schiaparelli, designer 

Food is not just eating energy. It’s an experience.“—Guy Fieri, chef

A GREAT MOTIVATOR.

 
“If music be the food of love, play on.”William Shakespeare, writer

“Work is the meat of life, pleasure the dessert.”B.C. Forbes, journalist


I’m painting with the gusto of a Marseillais eating bouillabaisse, which won’t surprise you when it’s a question of painting large sunflowers.“—Vincent Van Gogh, painter

The food quote about bouillabaisse comes courtesy of Vincent van Gogh and this 1888 painting of "Sunflowers" - Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain).


… THE ULTIMATE ICEBREAKER.

Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.“—M.F.K. Fisher, writer

When I eat with my friends, it is a moment of real pleasure, when I really enjoy my life.“—Monica Bellucci, actress

After a good dinner, one can forgive anybody; even one’s own relatives.“—Oscar Wilde, writer

My doctor told me I had to stop having intimate dinners for four unless there are three other people.” —Orson Welles, film & radio director, writer, producer, & actor

… FOR MANY, ANOTHER TERM FOR “BREAKFAST.”



“If you look upon ham and eggs and lust, you have already committed breakfast in your heart.”C.S. Lewis, writer


All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.“—John Gunther, author & journalist

“How sad the world would be without the smell of jam.”George Duhamel, author

This dish with strawberry jam and shortbread cookies illustrates one of our favorite food quotes.

… ESSENTIAL.

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well.“—Virginia Woolf, writer

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.“—J.R.R. Tolkien, writer

… SIMPLE.

“Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.”Anthony Bourdain, chef & writer

“You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food.”Paul Prudhomme, chef & writer

What I say is that, if a man really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow”.A.A. Milne, author

With an apple, I will astonish Paris.“—Paul Cezanne, painter


… REAL.

Real food, I’ve found, is actually better than dieting.“—Angelina Jolie, actress

“Life is too short for fake butter or fake people.”Julia Child, chef

I don’t like food that’s too carefully arranged; it makes me think that the chef is spending too much time arranging and not enough time cooking. If I wanted a picture I’d buy a painting.“—Andy Rooney, writer

… “THE ABSOLUTE BEST” WHEN HOMEMADE OR HOMEGROWN

… the simple meal satisfies…Fish always tastes better when you catch it, fruit when you pluck it, bread when you knead it, and salt when you grind it.“—Margaret Feinberg, writer

“If your mother cooks Italian food, why should you go to a restaurant?”Martin Scorsese, film director

It’s difficult to think of anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.“—Lewis Grizzard, humorist

These red Siamese tomatoes illustrate one of our favorite food quotes about homegrown produce.

… SATISFYING.

Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.“—Alan D. Wolfelt, author & counselor


Abundance is … the smell of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.“—Candy Paull, author


The best comfort food will always be greens, cornbread, and fried chicken.“—Maya Angelou, writer


“The best food satisfies all kinds of hunger.”Christie Purifoy, writer 

Now that you’ve read all 31 quotes, have you found one that resonates with you more than the others?

Remember to come back and take another look at these quotes if you ever start to second-guess your calling as a creative. They’ll make you smile, encourage you to move forward, and continue doing your good work with confidence. So much so that one day, perhaps, we’ll be adding a quote of yours to the list!

Here are 31 Food Quotes by Writers and Other Creatives to Inspire You.