I cook for a living, I talk about food around my friends and my family all the time, and I cook on my free time.
but I have to say, nothing kills a nice meal, out or in, with people you truly care about, than being over critical or over intellectual about the food.
i save those conversations for days after the meal, or keep them to myself.
Eating is something that incorporates all the senses, but we would be foolish to think it doesnt include expectations, environment, mood etc...maybe this is for another thread....but the people that annoy me the most are the ones that ruin a perfectly good meal with good people by picking apart the food, the wine, the decor, etc..."oh, i'd give this a 22 out of 30, the risotto was a bit dry...." just makes me want to respond, "i'd give my company a 15 out of 30, they're a little judgmental for my taste..."