have an appetite for (something)
1. Literally, to be hungry for a particular food. I really have an appetite for Mom's spaghetti and meatballs today.
2. To have an intense desire, yearning, or need for something. Even from a young age he had an appetite for knowledge, devouring any he could get his hands on. Growing up in such a small, secluded town, I constantly had an appetite for romance and adventure.
have an appetite for something
1. Lit. to have a desire to eat something in particular. I have an appetite for a nice big steak.
2. Fig. to have a desire to have, see, hear, etc., something. Bobby has a big appetite for sports and activity. Bob has no appetite for violence on television.