A bon viveur is a person who enjoys the good things of life, especially food. The phrase is derived from the French bon vivant, meaning good living, a bon viveur being a "good liver", or one who lives well.[1] The phrase is not derogatory but conveys a sense of overindulgence.[2] In his book, Mind the Gaffe, professor Larry Trask advised that the phrase is pretentious.[3]
The phrase was used as a byline by the famous cooking couple, Fanny and Johnnie Cradock, for their column in The Daily Telegraph.