gastroporn
n. The suggestive pictures and prose used to describe recipes in upscale cookbooks or menu items in fancy restaurants.
Etymology
gastronomical + pornography
Examples
1996
With this in mind, Victoria Lewis's The Night Before (HarperCollins #12.99) is a compilation of dishes from simple salads to gourmet gastroporn that can be planned and prepared in advance, leaving you time to enjoy yourself.
—Sue Lawrence, “Something to chew on,” The Sunday Times, August 04, 1996
1995
Not surprisingly, writers who don't treat recipes seriously earn her annoyance. "I hate gastroporn," says Wolfert. `The spiciness of this is balanced by the sweetness . . .' — I hate that kind of writing. It's because they have nothing to say."
—Janet Fletcher, “Paula Wolfert, one of the world's leading food authorities, now calls San Francisco home,” The San Francisco Chronicle, March 01, 1995
1985 (earliest)
If the lofty souffles of your imagination turn to slop on the plate, if the shining roasts of the gastroporn food mags turn to dull dross in your oven, don't hate yourself.
—Joanne Kates, “Fixing food that's picture perfect,” The Globe and Mail, January 17, 1985
Notes
Common gastroporn adjectives include succulent, mouth-watering, tantalizing, tender, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth.
Posted: May 15, 1996