A Gourmet is someone who has expert knowledge and enjoyment of food and drink. It follows therefore, that gourmet food relates to the preparation of high quality food that is at once urbane, luxurious, rare and carefully groomed.This elaborate description would create visions of delicacies, intricately prepared and laid out for the epicure to indulge in with abounding decadence. Fact is, gourmet food is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the palette. Presentation is meticulously planned and executed so that the senses can be tantalized and eating becomes a completely self-absorbing act.Now getting down to basics, here are some delectable examples of foods that qualify as gourmet.

Say them out aloud and savor the sound of it: smoked salmon, foie gras; pate, truffles, mushrooms, condiments, specialty meats, oil; vinegar, cheese, chocolates.Caviars: gourmet food stores offer an unmistakable selection of top notch caviar including Beluga, Sevruga and Ostra caviars and a broad assortment of Russian, Iranian and American caviars. Most genuine gourmet food stores meet strict import and quality standards and the goods come with a freshness guarantee.Condiments: good condiments are quintessential to a good meal. Exotic spices and herbs from the European countryside create a heady combination of aroma and taste. Spanish saffron, mustards, cinnamon and cloves, some dill and rosemary will embellish a myriad of appetizing and zesty dressings, seasonings and gravies.

Oil and vinegar: Italian virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, malt vinegar are great for adding zing to your salads. Also, olive oil is a more healthy choice when it comes to cooking.These examples certainly don't do justice to the vast variety of gourmet food in existence. They don't even come close. However, they do provide a peek into the world of abundance, excesses and unabashed indulgence - a clue to how food can embellished so that it appeals to the heart as much as the stomach.

By: Jennifer Bailey