15 Foodie Resolutions for The New Year

New Year's Resolutions that have food at the core are generally based on the notion of eating healthier, eating less and losing weight. But what if you don't want to skimp on your favourite foods? What if you love nothing more than tucking into a bowl of deliciously sticky pork ribs and then washing it down with a giant slab of red velvet cake. What if you're not bothered that you enjoy a good wine with dinner? Can you still make a New Year resolution about food? Of course!

"Food" resolutions may be about eating healthier, but "foodie" resolutions are all about being more adventurous. About realising that food isn't something you should shy away from. Foodie resolutions are about celebrating food and the joy that it brings.

Here are 15 foodie resolutions for the die hard food lover:

I will be more adventurous

There is a plethora of ingredients just waiting to be sampled by you, so pluck up the courage and bite into that callaloo despite it looking like vomit. Just because a dish doesn't look pretty on the plate, doesn't mean it won't taste great. Unsure of something? Just try it!

I will bake more

You may live just one block from the best bakery in town, but it cannot compare to a freshly baked cake at home. Nothing tastes better than a freshly baked dessert after the smell has filled your home for hours.

I won't get caught in fads

Be it the latest superfood or the wonder herb that will make the weight fall off without any effort, any given year is filled with fads and trends that quickly lose their fizz. Don't get caught up in the hype and just eat food because you want to eat it. Not because you've been told you should.

I will grow my own

Sick of buying a whole bunch of basil just to add a few leaves? Grow your own. A herb or veggie patch is easy to do and not only will you get the freshest produce possible, you'll save money and have access to your favourites any time you like.

I will shop sustainably

Sustainable agriculture is a way of growing or raising food using ecologically and ethically sound practices that protect the environment, safeguard human health, provide fair treatment to workers and are humane to animals. It's something that everyone should be thinking about when shopping and if you're yet to pay attention to its importance, let 2015 be the year you start.

I will not waste food

Each year in Australia, billions of dollars in food is wasted. When cooking your meals, cook just what you need or find creative ways to use your leftovers. Plan your meals throughout the week, stretching ingredients into several different dishes. Learn different freezing techniques or start sharing with a neighbour.

I will have more dinner parties

Everyone loves a good dinner party, and when you share the load with a group of friends, it takes the pressure off, bringing even more fun. Try creating a "Come Dine with Me" experience and once a month get together at a different house for a dinner party.

I will stop Instagramming everything

You may be excited about the food you're about to eat and want to share it with the world, but imagine how great it would taste if you didn't let it get cold. Forget about finding the perfect angle to photograph your food and just get stuck in. While you're at it, enjoy the restaurant ambience instead of checking yourself in on Facebook!

I will shop only in season

Food that's in season is not only fresher and tastier, it's generally cheaper too. To take advantage of the best seasonal deals, visit your local farmers market and chat to the growers. They can usually share some great advice and perhaps a personal recipe or two.

I will cook with new ingredients

Once you've found your feet in the kitchen, it's easy to become complacent. Make a resolution that will see you cooking with at least two new ingredients each month.

I will order something different

Just because something tastes incredible on the menu, doesn't mean you have to order it every time. If you are a regular at a particular restaurant, make sure you branch out and try something new on the menu.

I will bake my own bread

No matter how good the loaf, store bought bread just isn't the same as homemade bread. There is something very humbling about making fresh bread, it's healthier and generally costs less too. Plus the smell wafting from the bread oven is incredible.

I will create my own 'pop up' restaurant

'Pop up' restaurants are right on trend and are a perfect way to get a feel for the real thing without the big investment. While big-name chefs have the backings of reputable stores and hotels to house their pop ups, there's nothing stopping you from finding an old barn or shed and trialling it there. Diners will love the novelty and it will help you decide if owning your own restaurant is something you really want.

I will buy independent wine

Instead of diving straight for the same bottle in your local liquor store, visit an independent vintner and support some of the fantastic Australian wineries you might not have heard of.

I won't wait for hours just because a place is trendy

Before you make your friends line up for hours because your favourite food blogger said you must try out a new restaurant, determine whether or not it is really worth the wait. It could be worth waiting a week or two and checking out another great restaurant nearby.

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Mireille Kilgour

Mireille Kilgour has been an entrepreneur for 35 years in the hospitality sector. French born, she has been an accomplished business owner and operator for a number of Sydney venues. Leading the industry with high profile institutions such as Lamrock Café Bondi, she has endless passion for the industry, and now has the pleasure of supporting restaurants to fill their tables with the new Good Food Gift Card program.

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