There’s been a backlash recently against the practice many of us have of taking photos of our food, with some so annoyed they’re suggesting a total ban, and others going so far as to claim that anyone who does this kind of thing are suffering from mental illness.

To which I say—I’ve been snapping foodie pics since long before snapping foodie pics was cool, and I don’t plan to ever stop!

If you don’t believe me, a raid on my old photo albums ought to convince you. Check out the first Peking Duck I ever roasted, from way back in 1977.

How proud was I of that duck? So proud that I did more than just take its picture—I also had someone snap a photo of me holding that photo!

And here I am at a 1978 dinner party about to carve up a Beef Wellington made with puff paste I whipped up from scratch …

… and later the same night, posing with a Napoleon I assembled, also made with homemade puff paste.

Don’t worry, I sliced that monster into six individual Napoleons once I was done hamming it up.

In 1976, I was also deep-frying my own cannoli shells …

… and was for some reason ridiculously proud of my macaroni and beef.

In any case, I suggest people stop complaining about this foodie obsession, because you wouldn’t want to rile me up. As this 1978 photo of Chef Edelman will tell you …

… that won’t end well.