Foodie was an Earth term for someone with an interest in food and perhaps culinary science, who could be referred to for an opinion on taste.
In an effort to sell the idea that tribbles could be a food source for the Calations, Lieutenant Edward Larkin tried to convince the science team aboard the USS Cabot that Noel was a foodie, had eaten tribble, and liked it. Noel's reaction drew Larkin's statement into question. (ST: "The Trouble with Edward")