…They take delight in combinations of various foods from caviar to homemade pasta, from freshly baked breads to herb-flavored vinegars and specialty oils. The addition of a fine wine or a special blend of coffee or tea only heightens the sensuous experience. Most grocery stores have at least a few gourmet foods, sometimes found in the organic or international food section. There are also smaller stores that cater to more adventurous palates, especially in large cities. The Internet is also a great place to find not only foods, but also recipes and video demonstrations of preparation and cooking techniques.

One site to try is www.epicurious.com. It offers primers on things such as making pies from scratch, grilling, wheat-free/gluten-free diets, and even using a slow cooker. Like most publications aimed at the cook, it features seasonal recipes and tips for planning a dinner party. A section devoted to holidays and celebrations covers more than Christmas and Thanksgiving. It also includes tips and recipes for Ramadan, Kwanzaa, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. There is even a section on kitchen remodeling and tips for hiring a contractor to build the gourmet kitchen of your dreams.

Another good source of information on all aspects of fine dining is "Gourmet" magazine and its website, www.gourmet.com. Both feature recipes, techniques, articles about top chefs and their restaurants, travel guides for food tours of cities like Paris and Buenos Aires, and even a section on the politics of food.