In 2007, Disney/Pixar released Ratatouille, this amazingly fun animation of a rat (Remy) that wants so badly to become a chef. Remy finds his chance by partnering with a human kitchen hand named Linguini, who is for sure NOT a chef. The two of them cook up fresh and bold new recipes, working their way into the bellies and hearts of many, finally getting the attention of the dreaded food critic, Anton Ego.
Ego shows up one evening with this challenge, “I don’t like food. I love it. And if I don’t love it, I don’t swallow. I will return tomorrow night with high expectations. Pray you don’t disappoint me.”
“Tell your chef I want whatever he dares to serve me. Tell him to hit me with his best shot.”
And so what fancy specialty recipe are they going to cook up for Ego. What new and fresh dish are they going to serve? It needs to be mind blowing – this is their ONE shot!
And instead of cooking up something fancy – Remy does the opposite. He cooks up a commoners dish of stewed vegetables, Ratatouille. Remy knows – the fastest way to Ego’s heart is through his stomach, and that means comfort food.
And sure enough, one bite is all it takes. With one taste of home, Ego is transported back to his childhood in a heartwarming scene built around comfort food. He’s 8 years old and has just grazed his knee after falling from his bike. He returns home and sees his mother, no words are exchanged. You can feel the love and care of Ego’s mother, as she serves him this fresh, warm, common, comfort food.
It’s why we call them comfort foods. They comfort us. They conjure up memories of our childhood that we miss and yearn for – even as adults. They remind us of a time when we were ‘cared for’ and life seemed to be so much less stressful.