Food
What Are Comfort Foods—and Why Do We Crave Them?
Comfort foods go beyond taste—they offer emotional reassurance, cultural identity, and nostalgia. Learn why we crave them and how they connect us.
What Are Comfort Foods—and Why Do We Crave Them?
Food & Beverage | The Knowledge
Comfort foods are more than just meals—they are emotional touchstones. From a bowl of chicken noodle soup to a plate of mac and cheese, comfort foods provide familiarity, warmth, and reassurance during moments of stress, illness, or nostalgia.
While comfort foods vary by culture and personal experience, their purpose is universal: they make us feel grounded, safe, and connected.
What Defines Comfort Food?
Although comfort foods differ from person to person, they often share common characteristics:
- Familiar and nostalgic – Foods tied to childhood or family traditions
- Warm and filling – Soups, casseroles, stews, and baked dishes
- Emotionally satisfying – Comforting beyond physical hunger
- Rich in carbohydrates or fats – Which can influence mood-regulating chemicals in the brain
These foods are rarely chosen for convenience alone—they’re chosen because they feel like home.
The Science Behind Comfort Foods
There is real science behind why comfort foods make us feel better. Carbohydrate-rich foods can increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and promote a sense of calm.
Warm foods also play a role. Studies suggest that warmth can enhance feelings of safety and emotional comfort, which may explain why soups, stews, and hot meals are commonly craved during stressful times or colder seasons.
In short, comfort foods don’t just satisfy hunger—they support emotional well-being.
Comfort Foods Are Cultural
Every culture has its own version of comfort food, shaped by tradition, availability, and shared history:
- United States: Mac and cheese, meatloaf, mashed potatoes
- Mexico: Tamales, pozole
- Italy: Pasta, lasagna
- Japan: Ramen, curry rice
- India: Dal with rice
What makes these foods comforting isn’t the recipe—it’s the memory and meaning attached to them.
Why We Turn to Comfort Foods
People often crave comfort foods during moments of emotional or physical vulnerability, including:
- Stress or anxiety
- Illness or fatigue
- Homesickness
- Major life changes
- Celebrations and family gatherings
In uncertain moments, familiar flavors help restore a sense of normalcy and emotional balance.
More Than a Meal
Comfort food isn’t about indulgence or nutrition alone—it’s about connection. These dishes link us to people, places, and moments that shaped us.
That’s why comfort foods endure across generations, cultures, and changing trends.
Comfort food doesn’t just feed the body. It feeds the moment.
Related Reading
- Why We Crave Comfort Foods – Smithsonian Magazine
- Why Comfort Foods Comfort – Psychology Today
- Why Comfort Foods Make Us Feel Better – Harvard Health
- Comfort Food and Cultural Identity – National Geographic
- The Science Behind Comfort Foods – BBC Future
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Blue Apron just picked up a new win in the prepared-meals space.
Consumer365 has recognized Blue Apron as the Best Prepared Meal Delivery Service (2026), pointing to the company’s chef-curated recipes and its growing lineup of ready-to-eat meals built for busy, time-constrained households. The recognition reflects growing consumer demand for convenient food options that reduce cooking time without sacrificing quality, structure, or variety.
Why prepared meals keep winning right now
The press release frames prepared meal delivery as a practical middle ground between cooking from scratch and defaulting to fast food or repetitive takeout.
Consumer365 notes the appeal comes down to a few clear benefits:
- Less time spent cooking (and less cleanup)
- Predictable portions and easier meal planning
- Reduced food waste, since you’re not buying full-size ingredients you may not use
- Flexibility for solo diners or households with irregular schedules
Prepared meals are especially useful during the workweek, when the friction of cooking can push people toward faster—but not always better—options.
What Consumer365 highlighted about Blue Apron
Consumer365’s recognition focuses on how Blue Apron has expanded beyond meal kits while keeping a consistent culinary identity.
Chef-curated structure across product lines
A key point: prepared meals under Dish by Blue Apron are developed by the same in-house culinary team behind Blue Apron’s meal kits. Consumer365 says that continuity helps maintain consistency in flavor development, portioning, and ingredient selection across different formats.
Refrigerated (not frozen) and fast to heat
Dish by Blue Apron meals arrive fully cooked and refrigerated (not frozen). Each meal is packaged as a single serving and designed to reheat in either a microwave or conventional oven.
Most dishes are ready in five to ten minutes, making them a solid option for lunches, quick dinners, or nights when cooking time is limited.
Rotating menus and nutrition standards
Consumer365 also points to weekly rotating menus that span a range of styles, including seafood-based dishes, vegetable-forward meals,
About Blue Apron
Blue Apron launched in 2012 and says it has delivered more than 600 million meals nationwide. The company describes itself as a flexible mealtime brand with a weekly rotating menu of 100+ meals, including pre-made options and meal kits. Blue Apron is also part of Wonder.
Read more
The full review is available at Consumer365.org.
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Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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Foodie News
Borden® Cheese Wants to Crown “America’s Favorite Grilled Cheese” — and Every Vote Could Win Free Cheese for a Year
Grilled cheese is one of those rare foods that feels universal: it’s quick, comforting, kid-friendly, and endlessly customizable. You can argue bread (sourdough vs. white), spreads (butter vs. mayo), and fillings (tomato? bacon? pickles?), but there’s one truth most grilled-cheese fans agree on: the cheese is what makes the sandwich.
That’s the idea behind Borden® Cheese’s newest national campaign — a nationwide search to crown “America’s Favorite Grilled Cheese.” And yes, there’s a delicious incentive: every vote is also an entry for a chance to win free Borden Cheese for a year (plus kitchen supplies to keep the melt-magic going).
How the “America’s Favorite Grilled Cheese” vote works
From now through March 24, 2026, fans can head to WinFreeBordenCheese.com to vote for one of four grilled cheese contenders.
Here’s the fun part: each vote doubles as a sweepstakes entry for the grand prize — a full year’s supply of Borden Cheese and kitchen supplies.
Borden is also offering 100 instant-win swag packs, which include Borden coupons and branded merch designed to “level up” your sandwich game.
This campaign is also the kickoff to a bigger series of sandwich celebrations leading up to National Grilled Cheese Day on April 12, 2026.
Meet the contenders: four very different takes on grilled cheese
Borden isn’t just putting one “standard” grilled cheese up against another. The four options are meant to represent a range — from classic comfort to trend-driven flavor combos.
1) The Classic
The timeless, ooey-gooey grilled cheese built with Borden American and Extra Sharp Melts on buttery white bread.
If you’re a purist, this is the lane.
2) The Spicy Big Dill
Pickles are having a moment in 2026, and this sandwich leans all the way in: Borden American Singlesand Provolone Slices paired with hot and spicy dill pickles, whipped cream cheese, and ranch seasoning.
It’s tangy, spicy, creamy, crunchy — and built for trend-watchers.
3) The Crispy Onion & BBQ
A savory, texture-forward option featuring Borden Swiss Slices, crispy fried onion strings, and a tangy BBQ sauce kick.
If you like your grilled cheese with a little “cookout energy,” this one’s calling.
4) The Mad Scientist
This is the wildcard: a grilled cheese where the bread is replaced with cheesy waffles, filled with “cheese upon cheese.”
It’s playful, over-the-top, and basically designed for anyone who believes moderation is overrated.
The bigger tease: “Borden’s Grilled Cheese of the Year”
While the public vote will determine “America’s Favorite Grilled Cheese,” Borden is also building anticipation for something else: its first-ever “Grilled Cheese of the Year.”
The brand says the final recipe will be informed by culinary trends, consumer cravings, and — of course — cheese, but the details are still under wraps. The reveal is expected as part of the lead-up to National Grilled Cheese Day (April 12).
In other words: the vote is the appetizer.
Why Borden is leaning into grilled cheese right now
Borden® Cheese has long positioned itself as a family-friendly staple — made with real milk and owned by American dairy farm families. With more than 25 distinct flavors and types, the brand is using this campaign to remind shoppers that grilled cheese isn’t just a childhood throwback; it’s a flexible, modern comfort food that can move with trends.
As Jenny Mehlman, Senior Director of Marketing, Cheese, Taste & Flavors at Dairy Farmers of America, put it: Borden is kicking off National Grilled Cheese Day early with a national call to help name “America’s Favorite,” and continuing the celebration by declaring its first-ever “Grilled Cheese of the Year.”
Want in? Here’s where to vote
If you want to weigh in (and potentially score a year of free cheese), you can vote now through March 24, 2026 at:
Whether you’re Team Classic, Team Pickle, Team BBQ, or Team Mad Scientist, this is one of those low-effort, high-reward food votes that’s actually fun.
Quick takeaway
Borden® Cheese is officially turning grilled cheese season into an event — with a national vote, instant-win swag, and a grand prize that’s basically a dairy lover’s dream.
Now the only real question is: which contender are you voting for?
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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Food and Beverage
Chicken Salad Chick Heads to Las Vegas with Six-Unit Nevada Deal, Signaling Southwest Expansion
Chicken Salad Chick is officially heading to Nevada.
The fast-casual concept announced a six-unit franchise development agreement that will bring the brand’s first-ever Nevada locations to the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The move marks a new milestone in Chicken Salad Chick’s push beyond the Southeast—and a clear signal that the brand is serious about building momentum in the Southwest.
Who’s bringing Chicken Salad Chick to Las Vegas
The development is being led by Mark and Cayla Rubalcaba, a husband-and-wife team and longtime Las Vegas residents whose professional backgrounds span hospitality, marketing, and education.
Mark Rubalcaba brings leadership experience in hospitality and gaming, including roles with MGM Resorts International and BetMGM. Cayla Rubalcaba completed hospitality training through MGM Resorts’ Management Associate Program and also spent five years as a biological science teacher at Faith Lutheran Middle School & High School.
They’re joined in the venture by Cayla’s father, Anton Nikodemus, a seasoned hospitality executive who will serve as a strategic partner supporting the group’s long-term development efforts.
A personal connection to the brand
The Rubalcabas say their connection to Chicken Salad Chick began at Auburn University, where they first experienced the brand and developed a lasting appreciation for its hospitality and culture of service.
“Our long-term goal is to help Chicken Salad Chick thrive in Las Vegas while contributing to the brand’s continued growth nationwide,” Mark Rubalcaba said, adding that the group is focused on building a business that reflects the brand’s values—bringing people together, fostering community, and becoming a lasting staple in the Las Vegas Valley.
“We fell in love with Chicken Salad Chick during our time at Auburn, and it’s always felt like more than just a restaurant,” Cayla Rubalcaba said. “Having the opportunity to bring a brand that means so much to us to our hometown is incredibly meaningful.”
Why Nevada matters in Chicken Salad Chick’s growth strategy
Chicken Salad Chick framed the Nevada agreement as part of a broader expansion strategy aimed at high-growth Western markets.
The company notes that Nevada was one of five new states opened for development in 2025, alongside Arizona, New Jersey, New York, and Utah. Notably, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah are all in the Southwest—underscoring a focused push into the region.
“The Southwest represents one of the most exciting growth regions for our brand,” said Mark Verges, Vice President of Franchise Development at Chicken Salad Chick, calling the Nevada entry a key milestone in the brand’s westward development strategy.
A fast-growing franchise system
Chicken Salad Chick says it continues to build momentum nationally. In what it described as a record-breaking 2025, the brand reported awarding nearly 100 new restaurant deals and celebrating 42 openings across 13 states, with dozens of additional locations in development.
The company also pointed to multiple industry recognitions, including being named one of QSR Magazine’s Best Franchise Deals for four years and ranking No. 3 in Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers.
What Chicken Salad Chick serves
For anyone unfamiliar with the concept, Chicken Salad Chick serves Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch, with more than a dozen flavor options, plus fresh sides, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches, and desserts.
Learn more
For franchising information, visit chickensaladchick.com/franchising.
Source: PRNewswire
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
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