epicure, gourmet, gourmand, gastronome mean one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking.
epicure implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste.
gourmet implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them.
gourmand implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's.
gastronome implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.
epicure implies fastidiousness and voluptuousness of taste.
gourmet implies being a connoisseur in food and drink and the discriminating enjoyment of them.
gourmand implies a hearty appetite for good food and drink, not without discernment, but with less than a gourmet's.
gastronome implies that one has studied extensively the history and rituals of haute cuisine.