Ask the Chef: Why Comfort Food Should Stay Comforting
Question Dear Chef,
Everywhere I Look, chefs are “elevating” comfort food, turning casseroles into canapés and topping Mac and cheese with truffle oil. Is there really a right way to fancy up the classics, or should comfort food stay simple? – Craving Comfort in Coligny
LAYERS OF COMFORT Few dishes feel as comforting as a bubbling pan of lasagna. In Italy it’s the ultimate family meal, layered with rich ragù, creamy béchamel and tender pasta sheets that soak up every flavor. Each region adds its own twist, but the heart of the dish is always the same: food meant to be shared.
ANSWER Dear Craving, some dishes are best left just the way they are. Chef Nunzio Patrunoof Nunzio Restaurant + Bar says it best: “Comfort food should be preserved as comfort food. It does not need to be elevated. That is why people choose time and time again that dish — that recipe that always hits the sweet spot.” The beauty of comfort food is in its familiarity. It’s not about fancy ingredients or clever plating. It’s about the memory it stirs and the satisfaction it brings, one bite at a time.
